Studio: international art (42.1908)

Martin Pottery

has come from their hands a distinction not to
be found in the general mass of contemporary
ceramic work. Among the honoured names of
such craftsmen those of the Martin Brothers, of
London, are especially worthy of distinction. For
many years past these artists have produced from
year to year a few objects, which have been for
the most part eagerly sought for by collectors and
others. Much of their early work depended for
its main interest on the incised decoration of birds,

FIG. 4. MODELLED AND INCISED DECORATION

fish or flowers with which it was enriched. But
during the last few years they have materially
broadened their point of view, and have sought after
and obtained many original modes of expression
which lend to their productions a charm which,
without being in any way imitative, recalls the
work of the old potters of Japan. We shall pur-
posely confine our remarks to these later features
of their work, as we consider them to be of especial
interest at this time.

The few examples we now illustrate may be

examined with advantage from two points of
view—one in relation to the technical qualities
of their production, the other to the characteristics
of their ornament. Of their technical qualities it

FIG. 5. INCISED DECORATION

may be remarked that the earths employed,
while varied in character, are uniformly
dense in consistency and of excellent
quality. The decoration is usually obtained
by the use of "slip," either incised in the
Mishima style of Japan, or applied to the

FIG. 6. MODELLED AND INCISED DECORATION