Massive Bird Penquin
Massive mendiculus aquatic bird jar and cover
January 1883
Salt-glazed stoneware, ebonized wood.
21 1/8 in. (53.5 cm) high
Collar incised Martin London + Southall. 1. 1883 and body incised R.W./Martin/London/1.1883.
Underside of base inscribed MARTIN BRO/LONDON.
Provenance
Allen Harriman and Edward Judd, Los Angeles
Sotheby’s, New York, “The Harriman Judd Collection: British Art Pottery,” January 22, 2001, lot 300
Jonny’s Antiques (Jonny Kalisch and James Bisback), Ontario
Judith Morgan, Canada
Wilkens Auction, Toronto, “Fine & Decorative Arts,” November 30, 2016, lot 2109
Sinai and Sons, London, 2016
Literature
Garth Clark, The Potter’s Art: A Complete History of Pottery in Britain, London, 1995, illustrated p. 12
Catalogue Essay
One of the largest “Wally-birds” ever made, this rather meditative example testifies to an unusually
flourishing period in the history of the Martin brothers’ pottery.