ALFRED POWELL (1865-1960) FOR WEDGWOOD & SONS
ARTS & CRAFTS WALL CHARGER, 1910-1920
£3,780
Auction: 12 October 2022 at 11:00 BST
Description
painted and glazed earthenware, decorated by Mabel Tatton, impressed WEDGWOOD, signed in gilt to rim M. TATTON
Dimensions
47cm diameter
Footnote
Literature: For a similar plate see Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, accession no. C.49-1972 (formerly in the collection of Charles and Lavinia Handley-Read)
Note: Powell was inspired by the designs of the Arts & Crafts Movement, and the influence of William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones can be seen in the decoration of this dish: the animals and foliage remind, particularly, of tapestries made by Morris & Co at Merton Abbey. Many of Powell’s designs are based on plant and animal motifs, others feature architectural views and calligraphy. He and his wife Louise Powell also created simpler patterns for factory production during the 1920s-30s. Mabel Tatton started decorating at Etruria for Wedgwoods in 1907 until 1914 when she left to study at Hornsey College, Middlesex. She returned to the firm as head of the painting and enamelling department from 1920 until 1928. Her work was shown at the Paris Exhibition in 1925. The appearance of Tatton's signature in gilt on the rim marks this piece out as an exceptional example of her decorating skills.