MARTIN BROTHERS
AQUATIC JUG, 1898
£1,071
Auction: 19 March 2025 from 10:00 GMT
Description
incised MARTIN BRO LONDON & SOUTHALL / 10-1898, glazed earthenware
Dimensions
23.5cm high (9 ¼in high)
Provenance
John Cathles Hill and by descent
Woolley & Wallis, 18 June 2014, lot 174
Footnote
John Cathles Hill (1857-1915) was a property developer and brick manufacturer who was influential in the development of parts of suburban north London.
The Martin Brothers, Robert Wallace, Charles, Walter, and Edwin, were pioneering British ceramicists known for their eccentric and highly collectible stoneware. Operating in London from the 1870s to the early 20th century, they created some of the most distinctive ceramics of the Arts and Crafts movement, blending elements of Gothic revival, medieval grotesques, and natural forms.
At the heart of their production was Robert Wallace Martin (1843–1923), the eldest brother and creative force behind their whimsical and often macabre Wally Birds, sculptural tobacco jars with expressive, exaggerated features. These creatures, along with their salt-glazed vases, grotesque face jugs, and aquatic-inspired designs, set them apart from traditional Victorian ceramics.
While Walter (1857–1912) and Edwin (1860–1915) Martin specialised in glazing and throwing, Charles Martin (1846–1910) was more involved in the business side of the workshop. Together, they developed a distinctive textured, earthy glaze, often in rich browns, greens, and blues, that gave their ceramics an organic, almost ancient quality.
Despite their artistry, financial struggles plagued the brothers throughout their careers. However, their work gained a cult following among collectors, and today, Martinware is highly sought after, with pieces commanding significant prices at our auctions.