From:Williamson Art Gallery and Museum

Name/TitleDella Robbia Bowl

About this objectA Della Robbia red earthenware bowl that is thinly slip coated, with sgraffito and hand painted decoration. The decoration is in the form of a recurring foliage pattern in green, with recurring yellow circles to edge and a simple scrolling border of foliage to the inside rim.

It was designed by Liz Wilkins, who joined the pottery aged 15 and stayed until 1904, when she went on to marry Samuel Sergeant. She was from a working class background and had no formal artistic training. Despite this she was skilled in her sgraffito work and as a colourist, receiving special attention for pieces at the Home and Industry Exhibition in 1900. Her presence at the pottery can be described as being at the heart of the ideals of William Morris as she was from a humble background who managed to receive some success as a craftswoman.

Compared to her other later work, this piece is of an early skill level as it has a more simple design, and some of the application of the glaze has led to bleeding. It does however meet the Arts and Crafts ideals of showing an intrinsic human-ness to design where they are allowed to show imperfections. On the base of the pot there is the maker's mark of an unidentified artist 'E F', who worked in collaboration with Wilkins on the decorating side.

MakerDella Robbia Pottery (active 1894-1906)

Maker Rolemanufacturer

MakerWilkins, Liz (born 1878)

Maker Roledesigner

MakerE F

Maker Roledecorator

Date Made1895

Period19th century

Medium and Materialsearthenware

Place MadeBirkenhead, Merseyside

Style and IconographyArts and Crafts

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

Techniqueearthenware

Measurementsheight: 9.2cm, top: diameter: 14.8cm

Subject and Association Keywordsleaf

Subject and Association Keywordssgraffito

Subject and Association Keywordscircle

Object Typebowl

Object numberBIKGM.1979

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved