Vase
1901 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Small salt-glazed stoneware jar and cover, in the form of a grotesque bird. British (Southall), ca. 1900. Made by the Martin Brothers.
Object details
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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Materials and techniques | Salt-glazed stoneware, on a wooden plinth. |
Brief description | Small salt-glazed stoneware jar and cover, in the form of a grotesque bird. British (Southall), ca. 1900. Made by the Martin Brothers. |
Gallery label | Tobacco jar 'Martin Ware'
made by R.W. Martin & Brothers, Southall, Middlesex, England, dated 1901
Circ.441&A-1919 The 2nd Lieutenant Francis Bedford Marsh (1914-1918) War Memorial Gift(23/05/2008) |
Credit line | The 2nd Lieutenant Francis Bedford Marsh, 1914 - 1918 War Memorial Gift |
Object history | The solicitor, Ernest Marsh (1867-1949) was an avid collector of Martinware from the 1890s onwards. He donated a large group, including this piece, to the V&A Museum in memory of his son who was killed in the First World War. Historical significance: These grotesque bird jars, known as 'Wally birds', were loosely inspired by Gothic fantasy and Japanese art. Robert Wallace Martin, with his sculptural training, modelled most of the birds. They were appreciated by collectors for their humorousness rather than their functional qualities. |
Historical context | Martinware was bought by a city clientele consisting mainly of architects, solicitors and other professionals who had aesthetic and artistic interests. The Martin Brothers's shop in Holborn was noted for its atmosphere of conoisseurship. |
Subjects depicted | |
Collection | |
Accession number | CIRC.441-1919 |
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Record created | July 1, 1998 |
Record URL |
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