Martin Brothers Early Open Salt

Description

Early Martin Brothers Salt-Glazed Open Salt Dish (Circa 1880s)

This distinctive open salt dish, crafted by Robert Wallace Martin of the renowned Martin Brothers pottery, dates to the 1880s and represents a superb example of early British art pottery. The piece features a robust, architectural form with a squared, lobed profile resting on four domed feet.

The exterior is defined by tactile detailing, utilizing a raised, beaded border that frames the upper and lower registers. The flat sides showcase a recessed, vertically fluted arcade motif, which contrasts sharply with the smooth, sweeping curves of the prominent corners. A rich, earthy palette characterizes the dish: the interior basin and upper sections are bathed in a mottled ochre and mustard-yellow glaze, while the lower corner sections exhibit a deep, resonant cobalt blue.

The underside bears the clearly incised signature “Martin Bros, London & Southall,” authenticating its early origins. Notably, the base retains a label from the esteemed Whitley Collection, providing highly desirable provenance for the discerning collector.

The dish presents in exceptional, unrestored original condition, free from subsequent damage or repairs. It exhibits small authentic, in-manufacture firing cracks—visible within the interior basin and underside—which are inherent to the early Martin Brothers firing process and do not detract from its structural integrity or historic appeal.

Background to the Martin Brothers

The Martin Brothers were a quartet of talented siblings who revolutionized ceramic art in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Known for their unique and imaginative designs, they created pieces that are now highly collectible and sought after. Their works often feature whimsical, grotesque, and organic forms, blending functionality with artistic expression. Their  ceramics are rare, and their scarcity only adds to their collectability and value. Pieces by the Martin Brothers are prized for their originality, intricate details, and the skillful blending of natural and fantastical elements.

Many Martin Brothers pieces are on display at the V&A museum, including this one below that is virtually the same (also 1907) to this superb piece: