Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 145

Martin Ware

Chess Piece
1902 (dated)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This chesspiecee, a white pawn, is an example of the renewed nineteenth century interest in stoneware which took inspiration from the past, although it also demonstrates the ability of the Martin brothers to create original and characterful pieces.

The Martin brothers were intensely interested in surface decoration. They made almost any type of ware from clock cases to table wares to jardinières. Their most celebrated wares are the sculptural bird-headed tobacco jars. For many years the Martins worked almost exclusively in salt-glazed stoneware which results in the distinctive semi-matt, speckled surface and a limited colour range of browns, blues and greens. They usually added incised decoration and applied ornament.

Between them, the four Martin brothers formed a full pottery team. Robert Wallace (the eldest), was generally responsible for throwing and modelling, Walter Fraser for decorating and Edwin Bruce for glaze development and kiln management. From the late 1870s Charles ran the brothers' sales from their shop in Brownlow Street, Holborn. However, they did have outside help for both the practical side of the business and and also for designs and modelling from designer Mark V. Marshall and H.F. Fawcett, an artist who had previously worked with William De Morgan. Fawcett designed in the Japanese manner and produced sketches for the brothers which they used for many years.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleMartin Ware (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Stoneware, moulded, incised and glazed
Brief description
White pawn from 'Martin Ware' chess set, stoneware, modelled by R. Wallace Martin, made by R.W. Martin & Brothers, Southall, dated 1902
Physical description
Chess Set. White Pawn. Stoneware. Moulded man's head and shoulders with incised chain-mail vest with black pigment, on a pedestal base. White glaze.
Dimensions
  • Height: 8.5cm
  • Width: 3.4cm
Marks and inscriptions
'RW Martin & Bros London & Southall / 6.10.1902' (Maker's mark incised on reverse)
Gallery label
Chess Set 'Martin Ware' Modelled by R. Wallace Martin, made by R.W. Martin & Brothers, Southall, Middlesex, England, dated 1902 C.211 I-1921 Mrs Clara Boulnois Bequest(23/05/2008)
Credit line
Bequeathed by Mrs Clara Boulnois
Object history
Modelled at the suggestion of Mr J.J. Wade , second division clerk at the V&A, who supplied chessmen for the artist's reference. The set was sold to Mrs Boulnois for £20. (Apocryphal).
Summary
This chesspiecee, a white pawn, is an example of the renewed nineteenth century interest in stoneware which took inspiration from the past, although it also demonstrates the ability of the Martin brothers to create original and characterful pieces.

The Martin brothers were intensely interested in surface decoration. They made almost any type of ware from clock cases to table wares to jardinières. Their most celebrated wares are the sculptural bird-headed tobacco jars. For many years the Martins worked almost exclusively in salt-glazed stoneware which results in the distinctive semi-matt, speckled surface and a limited colour range of browns, blues and greens. They usually added incised decoration and applied ornament.

Between them, the four Martin brothers formed a full pottery team. Robert Wallace (the eldest), was generally responsible for throwing and modelling, Walter Fraser for decorating and Edwin Bruce for glaze development and kiln management. From the late 1870s Charles ran the brothers' sales from their shop in Brownlow Street, Holborn. However, they did have outside help for both the practical side of the business and and also for designs and modelling from designer Mark V. Marshall and H.F. Fawcett, an artist who had previously worked with William De Morgan. Fawcett designed in the Japanese manner and produced sketches for the brothers which they used for many years.
Bibliographic reference
Haslam, Malcolm. The Martin Brothers, Potters. Richard Dennis : London. 133 p., ill. fig. XXIV.
Collection
Accession number
C.211I-1921

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Record createdMarch 31, 2008
Record URL
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