A WOMAN’S TOUCH

Doulton Lambeth large stoneware vase, c1900

Doulton & Co specialised in making functional ceramic wares, but in the early 1860s set up an art pottery studio in Lambeth, South London, to develop a range of decorative art pottery in salt- glazed stoneware. The studio teamed up with the Lambeth School of Art, which supplied artists to join the business as decorators. The artist siblings Hannah, Florence, Lucy and Arthur Barlow all worked for Doulton Lambeth, with Hannah joining first in 1871, and Florence two years later. Hannah specialised in animals, while Florence painted birds and flowers. This large stoneware vase, 36cm high, is incised and glazed, with panels of sparrows perching on teasels. It carries the monogram FEB (Florence Elizabeth Barlow) and sold at Lyon & Turnbull, Edinburgh, in 2015 for £450.