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Modelling clay ware

Design
ca. 1893 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is the seventh drawing from a series of twelve watercolours which show the manufacturing processes of Doulton's Lambeth pottery works, made by William Rowe about 1893. In this drawing, two modellers are using various tools to model pottery. One of them has been identified as the famous modeller Mark Marshall although the records do not identify which of the two he is. Above the drawing, the painter indicated, in pencil, that the process represented was that of 'modelling clay ware'.

This drawing, along with other drawings in the series, provide a unique insight into the workings of the Lambeth factory. They not only depict processes from digging, grinding and purifying clay, to modelling, decorating, glazing and firing the finished piece, but also include portraits of Doulton's most important and influential designers and craftsmen, such as the Barlow sisters and Mark Marshall.

The set of drawings remained in the archives of the factory for many years until the dispersal of the Doulton material, when they were bought by the collectors of art pottery, Allen Harriman and Edward Judd. The designs seem not to have been executed in ceramic form as panels or a frieze as intended. However, it is recorded that a set of full-scale drawings was made and displayed at the Chicago exhibition in 1893 and were later purchased by Northwestern University Guild.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleModelling clay ware (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Pencil and watercolour on paper
Brief description
A watercolour drawing for Doulton's Lambeth pottery works by William Rowe circa 1893.
Physical description
This is the seventh drawing from a series of twelve watercolours which show the manufacturing processes of Doulton's Lambeth pottery works by William Rowe circa 1893. In this drawing, two modellers are using various tools to model pottery. One of them has been identified as the famous modeller Mark Marshall. Above the drawing, the painter indicated, in pencil, that the process represented was that of 'modelling clay ware'.
Dimensions
  • Drawing height: 10.5cm
  • Drawing width: 20cm
  • Sheet height: 28.1cm
  • Sheet width: 38.2cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Modelling clay ware.' (In pencil at the top side of paper)
  • '7' (In pencil at the bottom right side of paper. This indicates that the watercolour is no.7 in the series of 12 watercolours that illustrate the manufacturing processes of Doulton's Lambeth pottery works.)
Credit line
Supported by the Friends of the V&A
Object history
This drawing, along with other drawings in the set, remained in the archives of Doulton's Lambeth factory for many years until the dispersal of the Doulton material, when they were bought by the distinguished collectors of art pottery, Allen Harriman and Edward Judd. The designs seem not to have been executed in ceramic form as panels or a frieze as intended. However, it is recorded that a set of full-scale drawings was made and displayed at the Chicago exhibition in 1893 and were later purchased by Northwestern University Guild.

Historical significance: This remarkable series provides a unique insight into the workings of the Lambeth factory. There is almost no other visual documentation from this time.

The famous modeller Mark Marshall has been identified in this very process.
Historical context
Doulton was one of the greatest English potteries founded in the 19th century. It encouraged workers, men and women, to sign their work and give the objects more of an individual and less of a factory feel. These watercolours by William Rowe appear to include portraits of Doulton's most important and influential designers and craftsmen, such as the Barlow sisters and Mark Marshall. William Rowe himself also occasionally worked at Lambeth, and it is possible that one of these drawings might include his own portrait. The Lambeth pottery works depicted in these drawings show that factory life has shifted from 'dark satanic mill' horrors to light and airy atmosphere. Part of Doulton's Lambeth factory still survives in Lambeth on Black Prince Road.
Subjects depicted
Place depicted
Associations
Summary
This is the seventh drawing from a series of twelve watercolours which show the manufacturing processes of Doulton's Lambeth pottery works, made by William Rowe about 1893. In this drawing, two modellers are using various tools to model pottery. One of them has been identified as the famous modeller Mark Marshall although the records do not identify which of the two he is. Above the drawing, the painter indicated, in pencil, that the process represented was that of 'modelling clay ware'.

This drawing, along with other drawings in the series, provide a unique insight into the workings of the Lambeth factory. They not only depict processes from digging, grinding and purifying clay, to modelling, decorating, glazing and firing the finished piece, but also include portraits of Doulton's most important and influential designers and craftsmen, such as the Barlow sisters and Mark Marshall.

The set of drawings remained in the archives of the factory for many years until the dispersal of the Doulton material, when they were bought by the collectors of art pottery, Allen Harriman and Edward Judd. The designs seem not to have been executed in ceramic form as panels or a frieze as intended. However, it is recorded that a set of full-scale drawings was made and displayed at the Chicago exhibition in 1893 and were later purchased by Northwestern University Guild.
Collection
Accession number
E.922-2002

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Record createdJune 5, 2006
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