From:Williamson Art Gallery and Museum

Name/TitleDella Robbia Ewer

About this objectA Della Robbia red earthenware ewer with strap handles and a spout in the form of a dragon. It is slip coated with sgraffito and hand painted decoration taking the form of a circular medallion to either side, each showing a female in medieval headdress surrounded with floral and foliate decoration in turquoise yellow and green ground.

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.

The medallion takes inspiration from a Victorian obsession with the medieval past as an idealistic pre-industrial society. The colours are also reminiscent of Mediterranean pottery, another influence for Della Robbia Birkenhead.

MakerDella Robbia Pottery (active 1894-1906)

Maker Rolemanufacturer

MakerWalker, Cassandra Annie (1875-1936)

Maker Roledecorator

Date Made1903

Period20th century

Medium and Materialsearthenware

Place MadeBirkenhead, Merseyside

Style and IconographyArts and Crafts

Inscription and Marksmark
D R P M
Method: inscribed
Position: base

Techniqueearthenware

Measurementsbody: height: 23.3cm

Subject and Association Keywordswoman

Subject and Association Keywordsdragon

Subject and Association Keywordssgraffito

Credit LinePurchased from Harold Rathbone, 1922

Object Typeewer

Object numberBIKGM.939

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved