From:Williamson Art Gallery and Museum

Name/TitleDella Robbia Dutch Vase

About this objectA Della Robbia red earthenware large Dutch vase. It is slip coated with sgraffito and hand painted decoration in the form of meandering, entwined ribbons in yellow, which run horizontally with green and turquoise spots.

It was designed by Arthur Edward Bell, who joined the pottery c.1896/7 at the age of 16. He came from an artisan background and, like other designers, started with basic child-like designs. He showed artistic promise as he rapidly progressed on to creating original decorated themes, loosely based on repeating patterns and leaf motifs. His work is described as neat and thoughtful, with a lot of attention to detail. However, Bell did not stay at the pottery for long as, like others, he left for a better wage and in 1901 it showed that he was working for a local printer.

The design shows his aptitude for repeating patterns, and his ability to create complicated weaving in a unique design.

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 may be an example of her early work, as it shows some bleeding of the glaze, a technique which she perfected in her later work.  

MakerDella Robbia Pottery (active 1894-1906)

Maker Rolemanufacturer

MakerBell, A E

Maker Roledesigner

MakerBare, Ruth (1880-1962)

Maker Roledecorator

Date Madec.1897-1901

Period19th century

Medium and Materialsearthenware

Place MadeBirkenhead, Merseyside

Style and IconographyArts and Crafts

Inscription and Marksmark
D R P M
Method: inscribed
Position: base

Techniqueearthenware

Measurementsheight: 26.3cm, length: cm

Subject and Association Keywordsribbon

Subject and Association Keywordssgraffito

Subject and Association Keywordsspot

Credit LinePurchased from Harold Rathbone, 1922

Object Typevase

Object numberBIKGM.945

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved