About this objectA Della Robbia red earthenware plate as part of a set. It is slip coated with sgraffito and hand painted decoration in the form of 4 stylised oak leaves in turquoise on a yellow and white background.
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 at the 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.
This piece is more of a complex design than some of her earlier work which shows her artistic progress. It also illustrates that she is still inspired by the Arts and Crafts stylised representation of nature as well as Mediterranean pottery with the colours and repeating design.
It was decorated by Hannah Jones, who joined the pottery in its early years from North Wales. She must have received previous artistic education as she received instant success for her work as a colourist and decorator and was written about in the 1897 Magazine of Art. The high point of her career was her contribution to the 1902 Cork Exhibition. It was rumoured hat she had to leave the pottery for getting too close to the owner, Harold Rathbone.Â
MakerDella Robbia Pottery (active 1894-1906)
Maker Rolemanufacturer
MakerJones, Hannah
Maker Roledecorator
MakerWilkins, Liz (born 1878)
Maker Roledesigner
Date Made1903
Period20th century
Medium and Materialsearthenware
Place MadeBirkenhead, Merseyside
Style and IconographyArts and Crafts
Inscription and Marksmark
LW 1903 25
Method: incised
Position: base
Techniqueearthenware
Measurementsdiameter: 21cm
Subject and Association Keywordsoak leaf
Subject and Association Keywordssgraffito
Credit LinePurchased with the aid of the V&A Purchase Grant Fund, 1981
