Bottle
ca. 1690 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Such an expensive handled bottle was almost certainly used for serving wine. It seems to have no parallels in glass, however.
People
John Dwight (born about 1633, died 1703), founder of the Fulham Pottery, London, was constantly attempting to refine his stoneware and raise its status. In this rare example of 'marbled porcellane', which was covered in his second patent of 1684, he (or most probably a potter under his supervision) exploited the possibilities of integrating a band of stained clays into the body of the pot. Although Dwight's pottery was fairly successful, his pioneering fine stonewares could never compete with the increasing import of Chinese blue-and-white porcelain.
Materials & Making
The techniques of using marbled clay bands and small brass moulds to apply contrasting 'sprigged' decoration (sprigging involved pressing wet clay into fired-clay moulds to produce designs in relief) was not taken up in Staffordshire until about 40 years later. Whether or not they copied Dwight's early experiments is not known.
Such an expensive handled bottle was almost certainly used for serving wine. It seems to have no parallels in glass, however.
People
John Dwight (born about 1633, died 1703), founder of the Fulham Pottery, London, was constantly attempting to refine his stoneware and raise its status. In this rare example of 'marbled porcellane', which was covered in his second patent of 1684, he (or most probably a potter under his supervision) exploited the possibilities of integrating a band of stained clays into the body of the pot. Although Dwight's pottery was fairly successful, his pioneering fine stonewares could never compete with the increasing import of Chinese blue-and-white porcelain.
Materials & Making
The techniques of using marbled clay bands and small brass moulds to apply contrasting 'sprigged' decoration (sprigging involved pressing wet clay into fired-clay moulds to produce designs in relief) was not taken up in Staffordshire until about 40 years later. Whether or not they copied Dwight's early experiments is not known.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Salt-glazed stoneware with applied marbling and sprig-moulded decoration |
| Brief description | Bottle, salt-glazed "marbled" stoneware with applied white decoration including birds, snails and a bust of William & Mary. Made by John Dwight at Fulham, about 1690. |
| Physical description | Bottle, salt-glazed "marbled" stoneware with applied white decoration including birds, snails and a bust of William & Mary. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Applied with a large letter 'C' |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
STONEWARE IMITATING MARBLE The marbled effect of using two or more coloured clays worked or 'wedged' together was not new. John Dwight, however, developed his 'Marbled Porcellane Vessels' (patented in 1684) to a new level of techical perfection. Unlike this imported lead-glazed flask, whith its white slip marbling, Dwight's fine stonewares were decorated with subtle inlaid marbling, as well as applied Chinoiserie ornament.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Mr Wallace Elliot |
| Object history | London, Sotheby's, 12/02/1931. From the Bryan T. Harland Collection. Probably the "marbled porcellane" of John Dwight's second patent of 1684. Made in Fulham, London at the factory of John Dwight, (born in Todenham, Gloucestershire, about 1633, died in Fulham, near London, 1703) Historical significance: These experimental agate wares with contrasting white sprig-moulded decoration were unlike anything made in Europe at the time. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Object Type Such an expensive handled bottle was almost certainly used for serving wine. It seems to have no parallels in glass, however. People John Dwight (born about 1633, died 1703), founder of the Fulham Pottery, London, was constantly attempting to refine his stoneware and raise its status. In this rare example of 'marbled porcellane', which was covered in his second patent of 1684, he (or most probably a potter under his supervision) exploited the possibilities of integrating a band of stained clays into the body of the pot. Although Dwight's pottery was fairly successful, his pioneering fine stonewares could never compete with the increasing import of Chinese blue-and-white porcelain. Materials & Making The techniques of using marbled clay bands and small brass moulds to apply contrasting 'sprigged' decoration (sprigging involved pressing wet clay into fired-clay moulds to produce designs in relief) was not taken up in Staffordshire until about 40 years later. Whether or not they copied Dwight's early experiments is not known. |
| Bibliographic reference | Hildyard, Robin. European Ceramics. London : V&A Publications, 1999. 144 p., ill. ISBN 185177260X |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.101-1938 |
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| Record created | July 14, 1999 |
| Record URL |
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