From:Williamson Art Gallery and Museum
Name/TitleDella Robbia Cup and Saucer
About this objectCup and saucer made from incised, painted and glazed earthenware. Designed by Cassandra Annie Walker, a mainstay artist working for the pottery for the majority of its existence.
She gained a reputation as being an elite member of the pottery for her painting techniques and artistic designs, even being called on for special commissions. She was also a regular exhibitor at the Walker Art Gallery's Autumn Exhibitions and frequently attended art classes at the Liverpool College for Applied Art and the Art Sheds. The closing of the pottery heavily impacted her finances, later emigrating to Canada in 1908, where she spent the remainder of her life. In her personal life she was described as being free-spirited and also had suffragist sympathies.
The rose and trellis design echoes the Arts and Craft movement's obsession with nature, as well as designs by William Morris.
It was painted by Alice Louisa Jones, who joined the pottery in 1903 when she arrived to Wallasey in search of a job. She originally took up painting as a hobby on medical advice but demonstrated potential so she was sent to art classes. She was highly regarded by the pottery owner Harold Rathbone as she was hired instantly and trained in his own personal studio to be a colourist. She frequently exhibited at the Walker Art Gallery's Autumn Exhibitions and had an aptitude for the Art Nouveau style. She finished all of the remaining pots by request of the liquidators, after the pottery shut its doors in 1906. Afterwards, she managed to continue her artistic career in unorthodox ways, for example, becoming a photograph retoucher.
The cup and saucer demonstrate delicate paintwork, with the brushstrokes remaining visible to abide by the aims of the Arts and Crafts Movement of showing a human touch.
MakerDella Robbia Pottery (active 1894-1906)
Maker Rolemanufacturer
MakerWalker, Cassandra Annie (1875-1936)
Maker Roledesigner
MakerJones, Alice Louisa (1885-c.late 1970s)
Maker Roledecorator
Date Made1905
Period20th century
Medium and MaterialsIncised, painted and glazed earthenware.
Place MadeBirkenhead, England
Style and IconographyArts and Crafts
Inscription and MarksSaucer marked 84 1905 LJ (CAW) to base.
Cup marked 1905 CAW to base.
DR ship mark (incised).
Techniqueearthenware
Subject and Association Keywordsrose
Subject and Association Keywordstrellis
Object Typecup and saucer
Object numberBIKGM.L227.9
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved
