Vase thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 125, Edwin and Susan Davies Gallery

Vase

ca. 1884 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
This vase, although functional, was made mainly for show. The overall decoration, in a comparatively restrained 'art' style, was made to appeal to the widest possible, yet fashion-conscious, home-owning market.

Design & Designing
The production of earthenware with painted pictorial decoration was developed at the Lambeth factory of Doulton & Co. around 1872. Five years earlier in the international exhibition, Paris, similar wares by the French potter Joseph-Th‚odore Deck (1823-1891) and Wedgwood wares painted by Emile Lessore had been exhibited, and in 1871 Minton's had opened their Art Pottery studio, specialising in painted wares, in Kensington Gore, London. Doulton's decided to follow this new fashion with the production of 'Lambeth faience'.

People
Katherine (Katie) Blake Smallfield worked at Doulton's Lambeth studio between about 1881 and 1912. Like many potteries, Doulton's attracted family members. Katie's sister Mildred also worked there. Katie seems to have been a versatile painter, producing work in Japanese, Art Nouveau and straightforwardly naturalistic styles.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Earthenware, glazed and painted
Brief description
Vase, designed and made by Katherine Blake Smallfield (active 1881-1912); made at Doulton's Art Pottery, Lambeth, London, c.1884
Dimensions
  • Height: 21.9cm
  • Maximum width: 9.6cm
  • Base diameter: 6.1cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 28/05/1999 by Terry Diameter of base is 6.1 cms
Gallery label
  • British Galleries: As the trend to create individual, artistic interiors developed, many large-scale manufacturers of tiles and sanitary ware established studios which produced more decorative wares for the home, known as 'art pottery'. Doulton & Co. was one of the first to establish a studio, employing decorators trained at the new school of art in Lambeth.(27/03/2003)
  • Vase Decorated by Katherine B. Smallfield, made by Doulton & Co., Lambeth Art Pottery, London, England, 18-1885 Given by Messrs Doulton & Co. Ltd(23/05/2008)
Credit line
Given by Doulton & Co.
Object history
Designed and made by Katherine Blake Smallfield (active 1881-1912); made at Doulton's Art Pottery, Lambeth, London
Summary
Object Type
This vase, although functional, was made mainly for show. The overall decoration, in a comparatively restrained 'art' style, was made to appeal to the widest possible, yet fashion-conscious, home-owning market.

Design & Designing
The production of earthenware with painted pictorial decoration was developed at the Lambeth factory of Doulton & Co. around 1872. Five years earlier in the international exhibition, Paris, similar wares by the French potter Joseph-Th‚odore Deck (1823-1891) and Wedgwood wares painted by Emile Lessore had been exhibited, and in 1871 Minton's had opened their Art Pottery studio, specialising in painted wares, in Kensington Gore, London. Doulton's decided to follow this new fashion with the production of 'Lambeth faience'.

People
Katherine (Katie) Blake Smallfield worked at Doulton's Lambeth studio between about 1881 and 1912. Like many potteries, Doulton's attracted family members. Katie's sister Mildred also worked there. Katie seems to have been a versatile painter, producing work in Japanese, Art Nouveau and straightforwardly naturalistic styles.
Collection
Accession number
18-1885

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMay 25, 1999
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest