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Out of stock
Early R.W. Martin Salt-Glazed Mustard Pot (April 1874)
This historically significant salt-glazed mustard pot, measuring 9cm in height and width, represents a rare early work by Robert Wallace Martin. Dated to April 1874, the piece features a squat, bulbous body transitioning to a structured neck and a domed lid with a sculpted finial. It retains its original pewter metal hinge mount, complete with a traditional spoon aperture.
The vessel is heavily decorated, utilizing a deep cobalt blue glaze that contrasts sharply with the textured buff stoneware ground. The exterior displays a vigorous, deeply incised pattern of stylized foliate and fern-like motifs around the lower body. This is complemented by a continuous band of repeating wavy arches at the neck and radiating petal designs upon the lid.
The underside bears the clear, incised signature "R W Martin", alongside the pattern code "A36" and the date "4-74", firmly placing its production in the pivotal early months of Wallace's independent career.
Condition & Restoration Opportunity: While the main body, metal mount, and lid present strongly, the angular handle has sustained four breaks and currently exhibits old, crude adhesive repairs. This presents an excellent, straightforward project for a professional ceramic restorer or a dedicated collector. Once sympathetically restored, this piece will stand as a highly displayable and historically important 1870s artifact.
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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.
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Robert Wallace Martin Early Gentlemens' Cigar Lamp For sale is this incredibly rare Robert Wallace Martin Gentlemen's cigar lamp. I have only ever seen this example from the Martin Brothers, so I am confident these are rarer than hen's teeth. Presenting as a central oil burner with wick, it has been fitted with finely worked white metal (a silver plate metal) of excellent quality. No wear to the metal to the base layer is evident and it polishes beautifully. Any dullness is a light tarnish that removes easily. Three identical "wands" rest in the protruding wand sections, and each wand and wand seat has matching numbers 1-3 for the wands to know their position. The way the lamp worked was each of three gentlemen took a wand, and using papers from their vespa cases, would wedge the paper into their wand and be able to light their cigars from the comfort of their leather chair, whilst the lamp remained in the centre of the table. Lighting the cigar from a "clean" paper prevented the cigar's flavour from being contaminated by the oil flame from the lamp. Decorated with blue floral designs with a subtle green and blue banding between, the stems rise with a lovely natural green glaze to the silver tops. Set on three bulbous feet, with three layers of small shapes banding each foot, this delightful piece is quintessential late 1870s to early 1880s Martin Brothers! Whilst approximately 14.5cm tall and 9cm across, it is very solid and weighs 710g! Beneath the cigar lamp is the signature of Robert Wallace Martin (R.W. Martin), the figure "8" and then "Southall". This piece is in wonderful orginal condition that is ready to brace any serious collectors collection. Even better if you and the friends enjoy an occasional cigar, as it is a novelty that can be safely and robustly used without fear of damage as it is so well made.