Lot 635
WILLIAM JOHN MARRINER (1881-1967) FOR FULHAM POTTERY
GROUP OF ALBER WARE 'FMC' FLOWER VASES, DESIGNED 1936-7
Auction: Day Two inc FL Griggs : A Cotswold Legacy | Lots 334 to 654 | Thursday 16th October from 10am
Description
white-glazed and unglazed earthenware, comprising TWO UNGLAZED FMC4 AND FMC5 VASES, glazed to the interior, impressed and incised FULHAM POTTERY LONDON/ FMC4 and FMC5, 42cm and 30cm wide; a GLAZED FMC2 VASE, printed THE POTTERY/ FULHAM, 43cm wide; and a smaller GLAZED FMC4 VASE, 23 wide, printed THE POTTERY/ FULHAM (4)
Footnote
Literature: Peart T. The Fulham Pottery 1932–1965: A return to ‘artistic’ production, DAS Journal 32, pp. 100-125.
In the mid-1930s, Constance Spry’s floristry company gained prominence for its innovative, asymmetrical arrangements using both exotic flowers and local materials. Her designs required wide-mouthed, neutral-coloured vases, prompting her assistant Florence Standfast to create bespoke papier-mâché and ceramic forms for commercial production. These early vases, characterized by matt surfaces and generous proportions, influenced the subsequent development of 'Alber Ware' at Fulham Pottery. Responding to rising demand from Flower Decorations Ltd, the Pottery adapted press-moulding techniques to produce a durable, kiln-stable range. Introduced in 1937, Alber Ware drew on classical and decorative precedents but prioritized manufacturability, stability, and minimal finishing, distinguishing it from Standfast’s original designs. The similarity to Spry’s vases facilitated adoption by amateur flower arrangers, while wider availability and lower cost ensured commercial success. Alber Ware remained in production until 1962, exemplifying how Spry’s aesthetic and practical requirements catalysed an enduring British ceramic line.