From:Williamson Art Gallery and Museum

Name/TitleDella Robbia Tile

About this objectA Della Robbia part of a set as one of two tiles of white earthenware. It has hand-painted moulded decoration in the form of a winged putti standing on a trumpet lily holding a blue harebell in either hand with curvilinear foliage in yellow/green all on a turquoise background.

Emily Margaret Wood was a ceramicist, journalist and naturalist. She spent her childhood in India, which inspired her love for botany, which she continued in her prolific work for the Liverpool Naturalists Field Club, of which she became secretary. She started at the pottery in the Architect's Department, but also dealt in domestic wares and vases. She is best known for her extensive collection of botanical illustrations and was a talented watercolourist. She supported her elderly mother after her parents' separation, which meant taking multiple jobs as a journalist, potter, colourist and nature study teacher. This led to an untimely death in 1907 from exhaustion after a bout of enterocolitis.

This piece could be from her time in the Architectural department, as it is a piece of wall decoration. Putti represent a sense of childlike innocence. In addition, Wood uses her botanical knowledge to include lilies, which are also symbols of purity. This marries children and nature into an allegory for peace, tranquillity and purity. 

MakerDella Robbia Pottery (active 1894-1906)

Maker Rolemanufacturer

MakerWood, Emily Margaret (1865-1907)

Maker Roledecorator

Date Madec.1894-1906

Period19th century

Medium and Materialsearthenware

Place MadeBirkenhead, Merseyside

Style and IconographyArts and Crafts

Inscription and Marksinitials
J R
Method: relief
Position: front bottom right

Techniqueearthenware

Measurementslength: 53.3cm, width: 15.5cm

Subject and Association Keywordscherub

Subject and Association Keywordslily

Subject and Association Keywordsharebell flower

Object Typetile

Object numberBIKGM.8263a

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved