A Memorable Tea Party

28th November 2024

Taking pride of place at the centre of an Edwardian family photograph, is an unusual and historically significant teapot designed and constructed by the Martin Brothers to mark the surprise visit of their sibling, James Angus Martin, who had emigrated to Australia thirty-nine years earlier. Incised with panels 'JAM left England for Australia June 1867' and 'JAM returned to England on a visit May 1906', the teapot is decorated with initials of all nine siblings (including two deceased), with nine migratory martins in flight depicted on the lid. Under the base is a tribute to the family’s deceased parents. This highly personalised survival from the Martin Brother’s studio pottery, established in Southall during the Victorian era, belies stories of tragedy and hardship that dogged the family firm.

While the characteristic Victorian Martinware grotesque birds and animal forms continue to command high prices in the art market today, the brothers failed to see success in their lifetimes. Robert Wallace was quoted to have said in 1910; "My brothers and myself never got more than a labourer’s wages’"

They could only afford to fire the kiln once or twice a year and as they had no money for protective containers for the pots during firing, which meant that many were damaged. Their later years were beset by crises including falling demand, a fire in their shop, poor health and quarrels between the brothers.

It is fitting that this commemorative object survives, made to celebrate the visit of a beloved brother from Australia in 1906.

"It’s exciting to be offering such an historic, museum quality piece that appeared in our Robert Wallace Martin Exhibition in June 2023. It was made for the family and has resided in an important private collection of British Art Pottery since the mid 1980s" said Michael Jeffery, 20th Century Design specialist.

This rare teapot is included in our British Art Pottery & Design sale on 3^rd December and carries a pre-sale estimate of £3,000-£5,000.