About this objectA Della Robbia red earthenware globular vase with two handles of scrolling tendrils and 3 animal-like feet. It is slip coated with sgraffito and hand painted decoration in the form of trailing ivy to the centre body, with the handles, feet and rim in a turquoise glaze.
Liz Wilkins 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.
This piece is extremely creative in its design and shows artistic promise as Wilkins is able to manipulate the form of the pot by giving it animal-like feet and looping tendril handles. The design of stylised ivy reflects the ideas of the Arts and Crafts movement in idealising nature. Even though some of the glazing is patchy, it still retains a human-made quality, which was key to Morris' ideology in separating the Arts and Crafts movement from Victorian mass manufacturing.Â
MakerDella Robbia Pottery (active 1894-1906)
Maker Rolemanufacturer
MakerWilkins, Liz (born 1878)
Maker Roleartist
Date Madec.1894-1904
Period19th century
Medium and Materialsearthenware
Place MadeBirkenhead, Merseyside
Style and IconographyArts and Crafts
Inscription and Marksgalleon motif with initials either side and below
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