From:Williamson Art Gallery and Museum

Name/TitleDella Robbia Vase

About this objectA Della Robbia majolica pot/vase in albarello shape made from red earthenware slip coated, with strap handles with a marked face at the base. It features sgraffito and hand painted decoration inspired by art nouveau designs, with vertical and curved stems rectilinear leaves and stylised square petalled flower heads on a turquoise background. It is repeated on the reverse. It demonstrates modernity in its depiction of  art nouveau flowers, whose shape is echoed in the long handles which manipulates the anatomy of a vase/pot.

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 artist developed an Art Nouveau style by the early 1900s after spending time at the Mount Street School.

MakerDella Robbia Pottery (active 1894-1906)

Maker Rolemanufacturer

MakerWalker, Cassandra Annie (1875-1936)

Maker Roledesigner

Date Made1904

Period20th century

Medium and Materialsearthenware

Place MadeBirkenhead, Merseyside

Style and IconographyArts and Crafts

Style and IconographyArt Nouveau

Inscription and Markscircled number
1736
Method: inscribed under slip
Position: base

Techniqueearthenware

Measurementsheight: 37.4cm, weight: 3655g

Subject and Association Keywordsleaf

Subject and Association Keywordsvine

Subject and Association Keywordssgraffito

Credit LinePurchased from Birkenhead Market, 1950

Object Typevase

Object numberBIKGM.2884

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved