George Tinworth An Important Pair of Doulton Lambeth Exhibition Vases
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George Tinworth for Doulton Lambeth
An Important Pair of Exhibition Vases, 1888 each with compressed base, cylindrical body and flared neck, modelled with rampant wild briars and clusters of wild roses, among which are modelled twin handles in the form of nests with parent birds feeding their young, on one vase we also see a mouse climbing along a briar stem while a parent bird looks on, a frog rides on the back of a snail at the base of the vase, and a cuckoo is being fed by a bird nearby, above the cuckoo a small mouse is depicted riding a sledge along one of the briar stems. On the companion vase we see a small bird gazing at an approaching spider, two lovebirds are shown preening each other, and a frog positions himself between two briars using a flower as a parasol, glazed in cream against a brown ground, with blue glazing to the interior 63.5cm high, each incised `Doulton & Co Lambeth', both with `G.T' monogram and dated June 1888, one vase dated `19th June 1888' with added weather report `Cold Day' (this vase has a 1cm long chip to the base line with additional thumbnail chip to rim and 12cm hairline) (2)
Sold for £5,520 inc. premium

Footnotes

  • The creation of these exhibition vases was a labour of love for George Tinworth, and their creation is documented in Mrs Tinworth's diaries for 1888:
    Thursday 14th June. George commenced to do two very large vases for the exhibition.
    Friday 15th June. The Bishop of New Zealand came to see George today and said he heard out there that George was no more so he thought he would pay him the first visit after hearing that he was alive. Emperor Frederick died today.
    Saturday 16th June. George had two French Gentlemen to see him today, they liked the large panel very much. George took me to the Irish Exhibition this afternoon. We enjoyed it very much. Some very good pictures there and a very good band playing.
    Monday 18th June. George is busy with the vases.
    Tuesday 19th June. George has finished one of the vases today. He has been five days doing it.
    Thursday 21st June. George is working on the second large vase.
    Friday 25th June. George is modelling a statuette (sic) of Sir Cunliffe Owen. Also doing a large vase. The weather is very warm today.
    Tuesday 26th June. George has finished the second vase today.

Category: Decorative Arts / 20th Century Decorative Arts

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