Hannah Barlow and Emily Stormer Doulton Lambeth Stoneware Sgraffito Vase, Circa 1880

Description

A stunning Doulton Lambeth Hannah Barlow Stoneware Vase decorated between relief molded friezes with a sgraffito scene featuring grazing cattle. The art nouveau top and bottom are beautifully styled with an acanthus pattern and garlands of white beaded relief. With all sgraffito done by hand by Barlow, this is truly one of a kind. Impressed Doulton Lambeth mark with artist initials. Exceptional condition. Dimensions: 5.5″ wide x 10.75″ tall.

About Hannah Barlow. The first woman artist to work for Henry Doulton’s pottery firm, Hannah Barlow excelled in wildlife decorations. Along with her brother Arthur, sister Florence, and other local artists, she helped secure the success of the firm through innovative decorating, turning utilitarian stoneware and earthenware into artistic creations. An expert at tube lining, Hanna Barlow’s pieces are among the most sought-after of all Doulton artist designs. She quickly became known for her incised sgraffito work. After losing use of her right hand, she was able to use her left hand just as proficiently and became one of Royal Doulton’s most prolific artists. Hannah decorated the animal band around the vases and left the remaining decoration to other designers and assistants. While Hannah was hugely successful for her works, her sister Florence is also well-established, producing floral studies. Both did so for Doulton for nearly forty years. Hannah’s terracotta reliefs and sculptures have been presented at the Royal Academy (1881–90). She also exhibited at Dudley Gallery, the Society of British Artists, and Walker Art Gallery, in Liverpool. To learn more about Hannah and her work, see this article on the University of Liverpool’s Victoria Gallery & Museum website.

About Doulton Lambeth. Doulton ware, English pottery was established in 1815 by John Doulton at Lambeth, London, in association with John Watts and was initially known as Doulton and Watts. The company changed its name to Doulton and Co. Ltd. around 1858 and operated under that name until the factory closed in 1956. Doulton was known primarily for its practical stoneware and earthenware. In 1871, students of the Lambeth School of Art began decorating Doulton salt-glazed brown stoneware. The students’ work generated renewed interest in ornamental stoneware as well as the first noteworthy example of artist-pottery in England. Hannah Barlow and her brother and sister, Arthur and Florence, along with Frank Butler, Emily Edwards, and George Tinworth, were among the artists who worked in the Doulton studio. The practice was continued into the 20th century and led to the development of similar projects at other English potteries. Around 1877, Doulton of Lambeth bought the earthenware factory of Pindar, Bourne and Company at Burslem, Staffordshire. The name was retained until 1882 when it was changed to Doulton and Company, Ltd. This Doulton enterprise became well known for its fine porcelains, which were especially successful in the United States and Canada. In 1901, the Company was authorized by King Edward VII to market its products as Royal Doulton, with the royal mark appearing first in 1902. Since October 1955, the firm’s official name has been Doulton Fine China, Ltd. It was appointed supplier to Queen Elizabeth II in 1968.