Object Name : Vase

Physical Description : Small vase with dark black-brown salt glaze body. Incised and painted blue, grey and white in a floral pattern. Lighter brown glaze inside the neck

Historical associations : The floral design on this vase shows evidence of the influence of Japanese motifs. Victorian England in the 19th Century was awash with Oriental pieces brought home from the East. Japanese style or 'Japonisme' was clearly known to the Martin Brothers - but it wasn't just their work that gained an Eastern influence.

Greenslade noted in 1907 that "Both Charles and Edwin have started growing beards and they looked curious - they could hardly be mistaken for other than potters - quite an eastern look about them." [Martin Brothers, Potters by Malcolm Haslam, p.127.]

Producer role : Maker
Producer name : Martin, Walter
Production date/period : 08.1893

Producer role : Factory
Producer name : Martin Brothers
Production place : Southall

Material : body: stoneware
Technique : hand-modelled
Material : decoration: salt glazed
Technique : incised, hand-painted

Inscription type : incised
Inscription location : base
Transcription : 8.1893 Martin Bros London + Southall