CH Brannam Green Fluted Top Vase

Description

C.H. Brannam Barum Sgraffito Bottle Vase (1890)

This striking bottle vase, measuring 15.5cm in height and 8.5cm in width, is a fine representative example of the distinctive sgraffito ware produced by C.H. Brannam at the end of the 19th century. Dated 1890, the vessel is defined by a classic globular body that sharply transitions into an elongated, slender neck, resting upon a short, neat foot rim.

The tactile surface showcases a highly disciplined use of the sgraffito technique, juxtaposing a rich, glossy forest green glaze against a pale, cream-colored stippled ground. The decoration is strictly structured: the shoulder features a bold, radiating striped motif that anchors the base of the neck. The primary body is divided into panels by sweeping, arched green borders that frame stylized, symmetrical botanical and palmette designs. The intricate stippling of the negative space provides substantial depth and texture, typical of Brannam’s best art wares.

The underside bears the clearly incised signature “CH Brannam Barum 1890”, firmly dating its production. The vase presents in excellent antique condition, retaining a vibrant and lustrous glaze. There is a minor 4mm nibble to the interior of the top rim, which is historically consistent with the fragile nature of the earthenware body and does not detract from the piece’s strong display presence.

About C.H. Brannam Art Pottery

Charles Hubert Brannam established his art pottery in Barnstaple, Devon (historically known as Barum) in 1879, after convincing his father to allow him to produce decorative wares at their traditional utilitarian pottery works. Utilizing the local red Devonshire clay, Brannam perfected the use of colored slips and the sgraffito technique—scratching through the slip to reveal the contrasting body beneath before glazing.

Heavily influenced by the prevailing Arts and Crafts movement and classical forms, Brannam’s work caught the attention of influential figures, most notably Arthur Lasenby Liberty. By the 1880s, Liberty & Co. in London was a major retailer of Brannam’s “Royal Barum Ware,” elevating the pottery’s status globally. The pottery is celebrated by collectors today for its distinctive stippled textures and its wide array of designs, ranging from structured botanical motifs to elaborate grotesques and marine life.