A Martin Brothers stoneware grotesque bird jar and cover, dated 1900, the standing bird modelled with a sideways glare, picked out in cobalt, green and ochre on circular base, incised `Martin Bros. London & Southall, 1905`, 23cm high The Martinware Pottery (1873-1923) was established in Fulham, London by Robert Wallace Martin (1843-1923) and is important in the evolution of British... More

A Martin Brothers stoneware grotesque bird jar and cover, dated 1900, the standing bird modelled with a sideways glare, picked out in cobalt, green and ochre on circular base, incised `Martin Bros. London & Southall, 1905`, 23cm high The Martinware Pottery (1873-1923) was established in Fulham, London by Robert Wallace Martin (1843-1923) and is important in the evolution of British ceramics as they are considered to represent the transition from decorative Victorian ceramics to 20th century studio pottery. The four Martin brothers together; Walter, Robert, Edwin and Charles were pioneers in their field. They worked mainly in salt glaze stoneware, a high temperature firing method, where salt is thrown into the kiln in order to fuse with the clay and give a surface which could be glossy or matt depending on the conditions of each firing. This salt glaze method highlighted the impressed and incised decoration, so characteristic of their wares. In 1877, the brothers moved to a disused soapworks on Havelock Road on the canal in Southall, London. Walter Martin became the firm`s specialist on the wheel, Edwin Martin`s work included most of the fish and flower designs, and Charles Martin ran the shop. They were famous for the eccentric grotesquely modelled `Wally Birds` , wheel thrown and sculpted face jugs (see Halls Antique auction, 27th September 2006, lot 113), vases and other items reminiscent of art and architecture of the Middle Ages.