About this objectA Della Robbia earthenware, tall water vase with a tapered neck and a small handle. It is slip coated with sgraffito and hand painted decoration in the form of yellow tulips, bulbs and curvilinear foliage, all in the Art Nouveau style against an exposed red clay background.
It was decorated by Ruth Bare, the daughter of an architect and art writer. She received training at a local art school as well as at the Liverpool 'Art Sheds'. She joined the pottery at age 16 and stayed for the majority of its existence as a colourist. When the pottery closed she settled into domestic life, marrying Positivist minister Otto Baier and having four sons together.
This piece demonstrates her Art Nouveau style, which was what she was well known for. The tulips are beautifully drawn and executed with flowing sgraffito lines. This vase is unique as it has left the brown clay exposed as a background. This perhaps demonstrates some experimentation in the materiality of clay.
The design of this vase has been attributed to George Seddon. Not much is known about his life; the only mention of him is that he was identified in a photograph by Charles Collis. It was presumed he was a clay worker and had the maker's mark "G.H.S".
MakerDella Robbia Pottery (active 1894-1906)
Maker Rolemanufacturer
MakerSeddon, George
Maker Roledesigner
MakerBare, Ruth (1880-1962)
Maker Roledecorator
Date Madec.1896-1906
Period19th century
Place MadeBirkenhead, Merseyside
Style and IconographyArts and Crafts
Style and IconographyArt Nouveau
Inscription and Marksmark
D R P M
Ship between DR
JS 503
Method: inscribed
RB
Method: painted
Position: base
