Pair of Federation jardinières made by Doulton & Co., Burslem

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Doulton & Co., Burslem

1901

Overview

Two white cylindrical, earthenware jardinières (fern pots) produced to commemorate Australian Federation in 1901. They have rims tapering outwards and low bulbous bases. The decoration consists of a sepia transfer print with a simple flower pattern on the inside of the rim and a band of stylised flowers on the outside, separated by a border of gold paint.
On the front is a portrait of Queen Victoria surmounted by a crown, an Australian soldier on the left and British soldier on the right, above a ribbon banner containing the inscription 'Australian Federation 1901'.
Below this is a rectangular box with the quote by British Colonial Secretary Joseph Chamberlain 'May the union between the colonies and the mother-land now cemented by their blood be forever maintained' within.
On the reverse are portraits of Lord Hopetoun (first Australian Governor General), Sir Henry Parkes, and the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (later King George V and Queen Mary).
The portraits and inscriptions on the pot are linked by floral swags.
The base also features an enlarged version of stylised flowers.
The maker's mark is stamped underneath.
The two jardinières are of slightly different size and both have a small amount of damage including cracks and discolouration.

Historical information

According to the Australian War Memorial, which has a similar jardinière but with a green rather than sepia transfer "The Doulton ceramic factory was established in 1815 by John Doulton (1793-1873) to produce utilitarian stonewares such as ink bottles and spirit flasks. In 1820 became Doulton & Watts. The artistic side of the business flourished in the 1860s and in 1866 the pottery became closely associated with the Lambeth School of Art, with students decorating the stoneware before firing. By the 1890s, the studio employed more than 300 artists. In 1877 Doulton invested in a factory at Burslem, Staffordshire, making a variety of earthenwares. By 1882 the firm was trading as Doulton & Co., and began to produce bone china. In 1901 a Royal Warrant was granted by Edward VII and the company was renamed Royal Doulton. This allowed the business to adopt of bold new logo and markings. Royal Doulton went on to become 'synonymous with the finest English china worldwide'."

These jardinières were produced to commemorate Australian Federation in 1901. They feature Sir Henry Parkes (known as the father of Federation), the first Australian Governor General. Lord Hopetoun, and the visiting members of the Royal Family, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. They were later to become King George V and Queen Mary.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00580

Item type

Themes