Pair of vases, 1887

A pair of earthenware vases decorated by William Baron at the firm of Charles Hubert Brannam, Barnstaple, Devon, 1887.

Globular body with long slender neck with incised decoration in blue and cream slip. On each vase there is a deeply cut band of decoration, a combination of geometric and floral motifs. On the front of each vase there is a large motif featuring a bird and flowers. The bird and flowers are blue and raised from a cream stippled background.

Charles Hubert Brannam joined his father’s pottery at Barnstaple in Devon in 1881 and it remained in operation until 2005. Like many rural potteries, it was given a new lease of life during the Arts and Crafts Movement. Using the local red clay, Brannam, produced earthenware pieces with vigorous incised designs inspired by Japan and employed designers such as William Baron. Brannam supplied Liberty’s in London, the key department store for Arts and Crafts products among the wealthy. Wetheriggs Pottery near Penrith, Cumbria, even made copies of Brannam’s art pottery. Established in 1855, Wetheriggs produced slip-glazed earthenware made from the local red clay.