Martin Brothers Stoneware Bird Tobacco Jar, 1907
modelled and painted with spotted plumage in tones of purple, black, blue, green and brown, on a turned wood base
overall height 8.5" — 21.6 cm.
December 06, 2017
Estimate $15,000-$20,000
Realised: $48,000
Working in late Victorian-era London, the Martin Brothers are considered to have been pioneers in transforming decorative arts from the stale formalism of the Victorian era to a more whimsical and naturalistic style that foreshadowed the Art Nouveau movement.
Eclectic to the core, the Martin Brothers’ work bears the influence of art and architecture from the Middle Ages and Gothic periods, but much of their unique pottery exists in a category of its own.
Among recognizable Martinwares, their sculpted ‘face jugs’, gothic stoneware vases and spoon warmers resembling monsters, portrayals of mythical creatures and classical figures, and the use of sea life motifs and other fantasy-imbued images are all very well represented in this collection.
Waddington’s was privileged to offer an extraordinary private collection of Martin Brothers stoneware in December 2017. Compromised of close to 100 items, the total for the entire collection was $480,000, with individual lots such as a Stoneware Bird Tobacco Jar, which sold for $48,000.
(INSERT LOT 25)
Related Items
Martin Brothers Stoneware Imp Musician Playing a Harp, c.1906-10
covered with a mottled brown and buff glaze, on an ebonised wood base
overall height 5.6" — 14.2 cm.
December 06, 2017
Estimate $1,500-$2,000
Realised: $4,800
Martin Brothers Stoneware Bird Tobacco Jar, 1914
modelled with short beak and slightly raised wings, coloured in tones of blue, green and brown flecked with red, on an ebonised wood base
overall height 9.1" — 23 cm.
December 06, 2017
Estimate $15,000-$20,000
Realised: $30,000
Martin Brothers Stoneware Bird Tobacco Jar, 1904
modelled with raised head and folded wings, coloured in shades of blue, green, brown and cream, on an ebonised wood base
overall height 9.8" — 24.8 cm.
December 06, 2017
Estimate $10,000-$15,000
Realised: $31,200
Martin Brothers Stoneware Bird Tobacco Jar, 1880
the plump bird modelled with pointed beak and webbed feet, coloured in tones of blue, green, brown and cream
height 9" — 22.8 cm.
December 06, 2017
Estimate $10,000-$15,000
Realised: $28,800
Martin Brothers Stoneware Face Jug, 1897
modelled with a smiling face on either side, coloured in tones of light brown, black and cream
height 9.5" — 24.2 cm.
December 06, 2017
Estimate $2,500-$3,500
Realised: $9,000
Decorative Arts & Design
Decorative Arts & Design at Waddington’s encompasses a broad and diverse variety of objects. We are specialists in bronzes, items of Canadian historical interest, ceramics, devotional works of art, glass, lighting, militaria, mirrors, objets de vertu, porcelain, silver, scientific instruments, travel and exploration maps, and fine rugs and carpets.
Meet the Specialist
Bill Kime
Senior Specialist, Ceramics, Glass and Silver