From:Williamson Art Gallery and Museum

Name/TitleDella Robbia Vase

About this objectA red earthenware "Manzoni" vase with a large albarello shape and scroll handles, each terminating in a mask. It has sgraffito decorated through white slip with circular stylised flower heads on long stems and a medallion with portrait after Andrea del Santo.

Walker was a mainstay artist working for the pottery for the majority of its existence. She gained a reputation as being an elite member of the pottery for her painting techniques and artistic designs, even being called on for special commissions. She was also a regular exhibitor at the Walker Art Gallery's Autumn Exhibitions and frequently attended art classes at the Liverpool College for Applied Art and the Art Sheds. The closing of the pottery heavily impacted her finances, later emigrating to Canada in 1908, where she spent the remainder of her life. In her personal life she was described as being free-spirited and also had suffragist sympathies.

This piece combines elements of art nouveau in the stylised flower heads and long stems, with elements from the Renaissance with the portrait after Andrea del Santo. This combination of the classical past with the modern art nouveau illustrates the talent of the artist. 

MakerDella Robbia Pottery (active 1894-1906)

Maker Rolemanufacturer

MakerWalker, Cassandra Annie (1875-1936)

Maker Roledesigner

Date Made1903

Period20th century

Medium and Materialsearthenware

Place MadeBirkenhead, Merseyside

Style and IconographyArts and Crafts

Style and IconographyArt Nouveau

Inscription and Marksnumber
594
Method: inscribed under slip
Position: base

Techniqueearthenware

Measurementsheight: 37.9cm, weight: 3755g

Subject and Association Keywordsflower

Subject and Association Keywordswoman

Subject and Association Keywordssgraffito

Credit LinePurchased from Harold Rathbone, 1922

Object Typevase

Object numberBIKGM.931

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved