'Barrister' Bird

This 'Barrister' Bird is part of a series of famous pottery works by The Martin Brothers. Eccentric and idiosyncratic, the work of the brothers made their mark on the world of antiquities, considered to illustrate the transition between Victorian ceramics and twentieth century studio pottery. With a fearless sense of experimentation, their salt-glazed stonewar Wally Bird series (now known as Martinware) were well known for their Gothic Revival influences. The bird sculptures brought The Martin Brothers into fame with their eccentric, grotesque and caricature style. This work depicts a barrister, identified from its short-wig; other sculptures of this series/type would depict politicians and members of the House of Lords, often presented as grotesques.   The Martin Brothers were pottery manufacturers in London who are considered to represent the transition from decorative Victorian ceramics to twentieth century studio pottery in England. Scanned at the London Masterpiece Fair, 2017.