Jardinière
Design Date 1893–1896
Designer Christopher Dresser (1834–1904, British)
Manufacturer Ault (1887–1923), Swadlincote, Derbyshire, England
Media earthenware
Dimensions 8 7/8 x 13 1/2 x 9 inches
Christopher Dresser’s designs for Ault Pottery (1890–1900) were hand-formed on a pottery wheel before details were added with wooden molds (purchased from the pottery that had produced Dresser’s works before Swadlingcote hired him). This jardinière is molded in a style influenced by Egyptian pottery. Though Ault had a large team of potters producing Dresser’s pottery from his molds, Dresser insisted on inspecting the pottery twice yearly in order to verify that the designs and glazes were up to his exacting standards. A defining characteristic of Dresser’s pottery were the rich glazes, ground extra-finely from the same materials used to tint stained glass. Once applied, the colors were allowed to run down the sides of the pot during its final firing, creating unique pieces of pottery with streaks of intermingled colors.
ON VIEW in Arts & Crafts Gallery 3
Markings Raised "AULT" logo mark and inscribed "189" and "X" on bottom
Credit Line Collection Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art
Accession Number CG0726
