Vase
ca. 1877 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
These vases are the only known surviving examples of three-dimensional ceramics designed by E. W. Godwin, the progressive architect, designer, writer and interior decorator. For many, Godwin's work epitomises British aestheticism, with its clean lines inspired by Japanese forms.
Witty and individual, one vase depicts a side table, an example of which is in the V&A's collection, and beside it, in mock-Greek style is the word 'Kawphyrite' (copyright): a reference to the plagiarism of Godwin's furniture pieces around this time. Godwin was interested in the relationship between ceramics and furniture and many of his designs centre around the interaction between the two to create rich interiors. The undersides of the vases are signed with Godwin's initials: E.W.G and the initials W.W., which probably refer to the furniture manufacturer William Watt with whom Godwin worked.
Irregular in shape and creatively decorated, these vases typify the eccentricity of the nineteenth century art pottery style which aimed to place the 'artist' at the centre of production and revive traditional styles, such as slip-ware.
Witty and individual, one vase depicts a side table, an example of which is in the V&A's collection, and beside it, in mock-Greek style is the word 'Kawphyrite' (copyright): a reference to the plagiarism of Godwin's furniture pieces around this time. Godwin was interested in the relationship between ceramics and furniture and many of his designs centre around the interaction between the two to create rich interiors. The undersides of the vases are signed with Godwin's initials: E.W.G and the initials W.W., which probably refer to the furniture manufacturer William Watt with whom Godwin worked.
Irregular in shape and creatively decorated, these vases typify the eccentricity of the nineteenth century art pottery style which aimed to place the 'artist' at the centre of production and revive traditional styles, such as slip-ware.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Slipware |
| Brief description | Vase, one of a pair, slip over red earthenware, sgraffito decorated with Japanese inspired motifs, designed by Edwin William Godwin, about 1877. |
| Physical description | Vase, of red earthenware with sgraffito decoartion on cream slip, depicting japanese-style motifs and birds in different attitudes. This vase includes a stork next to a Godwin designed table and the word 'KAWPHYRITE' written to the side of the table. |
| Dimensions |
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| Styles | |
| Production type | Unique |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'E.W.G' , 'W.W'. 'J.G' (Initials inscribed to base 'E.W.G.' (presumably Edward William Godwin), ‘W.W.’ (presumably William Watt) and 'J.G.' (presumably the potter)’.) |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Purchased with Art Fund support |
| Object history | Purchased from Paul Reeves/Sotheby's |
| Production | Attribution for Godwin is based on the following: - The vases are inscribed beneath with the initials ‘E.W.G’ (presumably Edward William Godwin), ‘W.W’ (presumably William Watt) and J.G (presumably the potter)’ - Similar storks are incorporated in the designs of Plates 1 and 10 of the catalogue of Godwin’s furniture and interiors, “Art Furniture designed by Edward W. Godwin FSA and manufactured by William Watt, 21 Grafton Street, Gower Street, London…” (William Watt catalogue) published by William Watt in 1877. Another stork is used in the decoration of a toilet set illustrated in The British Architect and Northern Engineer of February 14th 1879. Others similar are dotted throughout Godwin’s sketchbooks. - The fan motif on these vases appears identical to Plate 1 of the William Watt catalogue. - The formal Japanese sun/daisy motif appears in Godwin’s designs for tiles. It appears in Plated 10 and 14 of the William Watt catalogue in designs for wall decoration and also in Plate 15 enlarged as the principal decoration of a bowl standing on the sideboard. The motif is used on the bowl of a toilet set in one of the sketchbooks. - The square pattern of four interlocking ‘U’ shapes is also used on the bowl of the aforementioned toilet set and on the wall decoration in Plate 14 of the William Watt catalogue. - The cheeseboard motif appears in Plates 10 and 1 of the William Watt catalogue Attribution note: No other 3D ceramic designed by Godwin is known to survive |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | These vases are the only known surviving examples of three-dimensional ceramics designed by E. W. Godwin, the progressive architect, designer, writer and interior decorator. For many, Godwin's work epitomises British aestheticism, with its clean lines inspired by Japanese forms. Witty and individual, one vase depicts a side table, an example of which is in the V&A's collection, and beside it, in mock-Greek style is the word 'Kawphyrite' (copyright): a reference to the plagiarism of Godwin's furniture pieces around this time. Godwin was interested in the relationship between ceramics and furniture and many of his designs centre around the interaction between the two to create rich interiors. The undersides of the vases are signed with Godwin's initials: E.W.G and the initials W.W., which probably refer to the furniture manufacturer William Watt with whom Godwin worked. Irregular in shape and creatively decorated, these vases typify the eccentricity of the nineteenth century art pottery style which aimed to place the 'artist' at the centre of production and revive traditional styles, such as slip-ware. |
| Associated object | C.1-2008 (Set) |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.2-2008 |
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| Record created | June 30, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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