Portrait plaque of Sydney Greenslade

This portrait plaque is an example of Martinware, created by the four Martin brothers - Victorian pioneers in the production of studio pottery. Working during the 19th century Gothic revival and the Arts and Craft Movement, they are renowned for their eccentric, fantastical gothic designs.

The brothers established their shop in Fulham, London, in 1873. In 1877 the business moved to Havelock Road on the canal in Southall, Middlesex. Working as a family unit, the brothers handled each step of production themselves. Robert was the designer; Walter the potter and chemist; Edwin the engraver and decorator; and Charles the commercial manager. Each design was hand-crafted and during their 50 year enterprise, from 1873-1923, no two identical pieces were made.

Among the eclectic collection of pottery creations, ranging from clocks to grotesque creatures, were a series of terracotta portrait plaques, sculpted in relief. This example was created by Robert Wallace and shows Sydney Greenslade (1866–1955) within an arcade, examining a vase.

Greenslade was an architect whose designs included the National Library of Wales, 1909. Greenslade was born in Exeter and later worked at 11 Gray's Inn Square, London. His buildings favoured clear forms, a high standard of craftsmanship and the restriction of decorative motifs to small areas. The Martins met Greenslade in 1898, during an evening organised by the Architectural Association. Both parties were drawn to each other’s work. Whilst Greenslade suggested new forms and shapes for the potter’s consideration through his sketches, he also built up a collection of Martinware. Some pieces in RAMM’s collection originally belonged to Greenslade.

Although this plaque has little surface decoration in comparison to other ceramic created by the Martins, it is an example of their distinctive salt-glazed stoneware. A strong, non-porous form of pottery, the salt-glazing technique involved a high-temperature firing method where salt was thrown into the kiln. The salt would then fuse with the clay, creating a semi-matt, speckled surface and a muted colour palette of brown, blue and green tones. Whereas many stoneware glazes obscure the body, the salt-glaze method highlighted the impressed and incised decoration on the surface of the pottery.

Object Summary

Accession Loan No.
141/1970/42
Collection Class
Studio ceramics
Material
stoneware (saltglazed) | | | |
Common Name
portrait plaque of Sydney Greenslade
Simple Name
plaque
Inscription Transcription
S.K. Greenslade
Period Classification
Edwardian (1901-1914)
Production Town
Southall
Production County
London
Production Country
United Kingdom: England
Production Date
7/1910
Production Person Initials
Production Person Surname
Martin Brothers
Production Year Low
Production Year High

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portrait plaque of Sydney Greenslade