About this objectA red earthenware vase in a large ovoid shape with a trumpet foot and neck. It is coated in white slip, sgraffito decorated and hand-painted with Birkenhead's coat of arms. On the reverse, there is an inscription on a shield-shaped panel.
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 vase was commissioned to commemorate Princess Louise's visit to the Della Robbia Pottery in 1898. It bears the Della Robbia ship logo as well as a sweeping pattern of scrolled vines. This commission demonstrates the high regard that Walker would have been held in at the pottery.
MakerDella Robbia Pottery (active 1894-1906)
Maker Rolemanufacturer
MakerWalker, Cassandra Annie (1875-1936)
Maker Roledecorator
Date Made1898
Period19th century
Medium and Materialsearthenware
Place MadeBirkenhead, Merseyside
Style and IconographyArts and Crafts
Inscription and Marksinscription
JAN.21 1898 / THIS VASE WAS PRESENTED BY THE / DELLA ROBBIA POTTERY / TO THE MAYOR OF BIRKENHEAD / E G MASON ESQ / ON THE OCCASION OF THE VISIT OF / HRH PRINCESS LOUISE & THE MARQUIS OF LORNE / TO THE WORKS IN / HAMILTON / SQUARE
Method: painted in colours
Position: body
Techniqueearthenware
Measurementsheight: 66cm
Subject and Association KeywordsMayor of Birkenhead
