Vase thumbnail 1
On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Vase

ca. 1890 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This vase, depicts figures representing the nine muses. Although referencing classical design, the vase is very much in the spirit of Victorian art pottery which encouraged artistic expression in the ceramic medium and was regarded as the antithesis of uniform mass-produced wares.

On the base of one of the columns depicted on the vase is painted the initial 'F', the unidentified mark of the painter/designer. In style, the design is very similar to those produced for Maw & Co. vases by the designer Walter Crane in about 1888-9, although his work was usually marked with his own monogram. It was common practice for firms to continue producing works in the style of a particular designer beyond the duration of their employment.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Earthenware, slip decorated, incised, painted in underglaze colours
Brief description
Vase, slip-decorated and incised earthenware depicting the nine muses, Maw & Co., about 1870.
Physical description
Vase with cylindrical body, contracted at the shoulders and the base with short neck and flaring mouth. Round the body are figures representing the nin muses between pillars. Round the shoulders a band of scale pattern, bordered by narrow bands of ornament surmounted by wave-pattern; at the foot a band of key pattern.
Dimensions
  • Height: 42cm
  • Diameter: 21cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'H.M.C / No.938' (Old identifying number painted on base)
  • 'Maw & Co.' (incised)
  • 'F' (painted underglaze and incorporated into the design (painted on the base of one of the columns))
Gallery label
Vase made by Maw & Co. (Ltd), Benthall Works, Jackfield, Shropshire, England, about 1870 Mark: (factory mark impressed..) Earthenware, slip decorated, incised C.632-1921 Given by the Royal Commissioners for the 1851 Exhibition(23/05/2008)
Credit line
Given by H. M. Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1851
Object history
H.M.C. loan No. 938.
Production
Made in the Benthall Works, Jackfield.
Summary
This vase, depicts figures representing the nine muses. Although referencing classical design, the vase is very much in the spirit of Victorian art pottery which encouraged artistic expression in the ceramic medium and was regarded as the antithesis of uniform mass-produced wares.

On the base of one of the columns depicted on the vase is painted the initial 'F', the unidentified mark of the painter/designer. In style, the design is very similar to those produced for Maw & Co. vases by the designer Walter Crane in about 1888-9, although his work was usually marked with his own monogram. It was common practice for firms to continue producing works in the style of a particular designer beyond the duration of their employment.
Other number
HMC.938 - H.M.C. Loan no.
Collection
Accession number
C.632-1921

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Record createdMarch 31, 2008
Record URL
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