Imps and reptiles among five to buy in a super Martin Brothers auction selection
23 November 2023 The British Art Pottery & Design sale at Woolley & Wallis in Salisbury on November 29-30 includes a fine selection of pieces by the Martin Brothers.
A 8½in (22cm) stoneware grotesque vase by Edwin and Walter Martin, dated 1911. Estimate £5000-10,000, it can be viewed on thesaleroom.com.
It follows on from the Martinware exhibition held by the auction house in June.
Among more than 50 lots in the private collection on offer is this 8½in (22cm) stoneware grotesque vase shown top by Edwin and Walter Martin, dated 1911.
Applied with two modelled reptile handles, each biting the top rim of the vase, the body is incised with a turbulent flowing water design. Identical to another pictured in Malcolm Haslam’s book The Martin Brothers Potters, it has a provenance to Samuel Avery, a key patron of the firm who purchased it directly from the Martin Brothers. Estimate £5000-10,000.
It is among ideas on five Martin Brothers items to buy at the British Art Pottery & Design sale.
Keen to Imp-ress
A Martin Brothers stoneware Imp Musician by Robert Wallace Martin, modelled seated playing the harp, glazed white, with ebonised wood base, incised Martin Bros London, harp repaired, 10.5cm. high. Estimate £1000-2000. See the Martin Brothers stoneware Imp Musician on thesaleroom.com
Charming chamberstick
A Martin Brothers stoneware Aquatic chamberstick by Edwin and Walter Martin, dated 1891, tapering cylindrical base incised and painted with grotesque fish swimming with eels, octopus and shell fish amongst waterweed, in green, blue and ochre on a buff ground, the handle with fronds of waterweed, incised 6-1891 Martin Bros, London & Southall, Harriman Judd paper label, 9.5cm high. View this Martin Brothers stoneware Aquatic chamberstick estimated at £1000-2000 via thesaleroom.com
Mini bird jar
A Martin Brothers stoneware miniature bird jar and cover by Robert Wallace Martin, modelled standing on claw feet, the head slightly tilted with forward pointing beak and gaze, glazed in shades of ochre, tan and buff with blue highlights, on ebonised wood base, painted Martin Bros London & Southall to head and base, fine hairline to rim of cover, 10.5cm high, estimate £4000-6000. Bid for the Martin Brothers stoneware miniature bird jar and cover on thesaleroom.com
Dragonflies to take flight
A Martin Brothers Pottery stoneware jug by Edwin and Walter Martin, dated 1896, tapering cylindrical form, incised with dragonflies flying above blue flag iris and wildflowers, in blue, green and brown on a grey ground, 11-1896 Martin Bros London & London, professional restoration to top rim, 27.5cm high. Estimate £300-500. Go on thesaleroom.com to bid for the Martin Brothers Pottery stoneware jug.
