Pair Arts & Crafts Ceramic Relief Plaques Children With Goat & Children With Satyr & Dog c.1909 Attributed to Reginald Robert Tomlinson

Details

Description

Attributed To Reginald Robert Tomlinson (1885–1978) Children with Dog and Children with Goat, circa 1909**
Pair of Arts & Crafts-Era … Read more Attributed To Reginald Robert Tomlinson (1885–1978) Children with Dog and Children with Goat, circa 1909**
Pair of Arts & Crafts-Era Turquoise-Glazed Ceramic Relief Plaques After Clodion

Highlights
• Unusual pair of early 20th-century turquoise-glazed ceramic relief plaques.
• Traditionally titled *Enfants au Chien* and *Enfants à la Chèvre*.
• Animated subjects depicting children playing with a dog and a goat.
• Derived from Rococo compositions associated with Claude Michel, called Clodion.
• Attributed to the British artist and ceramic designer Reginald Robert Tomlinson.
• Sculpturally modelled in high relief with pronounced three-dimensional detail.
• Lustrous mottled glaze combining turquoise, teal and blue-green tones.
• Presented in matching later ebonised and gilt-lined frames.
• A decorative acquisition for collectors of British art pottery, Arts & Crafts design and Rococo Revival sculpture.

Introduction
An impressive pair of Arts & Crafts-era turquoise-glazed ceramic relief plaques dating to approximately 1909 and attributed to Reginald Robert Tomlinson.

The companion subjects depict lively groups of children engaging with a dog and a goat. Their compositions derive from Rococo reliefs associated with the celebrated French sculptor Claude Michel, known as Clodion.

Finely modelled in high relief, the figures and animals project prominently from the backgrounds. The mottled turquoise glaze gathers within the recessed details while illuminating the raised surfaces, creating considerable depth and visual movement.

Catalogue Details
Attributed artist: Reginald Robert Tomlinson (1885–1978)
After: Claude Michel, called Clodion (1738–1814)
Subjects: Children with Dog and Children with Goat
Traditional titles: *Enfants au Chien* and *Enfants à la Chèvre*
Date: Circa 1909
Period: Early 20th century
Movement: Arts & Crafts era
Style: Rococo Revival
Country of origin: England
Material: Glazed ceramic
Technique: Moulded or cast high relief
Glaze: Mottled turquoise and teal-blue
Signature: Unsigned
Factory mark: None identified
Frames: Matching later ebonised and gilt-lined frames

Catalogue Note
*Children with Goat* presents an animated group of children surrounding a spirited goat. The interlocking figures, raised limbs and angular features of the animal create a playful composition filled with movement.

Its companion, *Children with Dog*, depicts children gathering around a powerful hound. The rounded modelling of the figures contrasts with the animal’s muscular body and more pronounced physical presence.

The high-relief technique allows light to move across the plaques, emphasising limbs, faces, hair and animal features. Darker glaze remains within the recesses while brighter turquoise tones highlight the projecting details.

Although the compositions are Rococo in origin, their expressive glazing and ceramic presentation place them within the historicist decorative culture of the British Arts & Crafts era.

The plaques are unsigned, and no factory mark or documentary connection with Tomlinson has been identified. The attribution is therefore presented as an informed catalogue assessment rather than documented authorship.

The Artist
Reginald Robert Tomlinson was a British artist, ceramic designer and influential art educator.

His early career included involvement with British ceramic design. Published biographical and scholarly material records his training and associations with the Staffordshire pottery industry, including Minton, Hollins & Co. and work as a pottery painter and designer for Bernard Moore during approximately 1906–1909.

Tomlinson later became Art Director of the Crown Staffordshire Porcelain Company in 1913, remaining in that position until 1919.

His subsequent career combined painting, design and arts education. He served as Senior Inspector of Art for the London County Council and held senior positions at the Central School of Arts and Crafts.

Tomlinson was elected Master of the Art Workers’ Guild in 1955, reflecting his longstanding association with the principles of craftsmanship, design and arts education.

The present plaques are not represented as signed or documented works by Tomlinson. Their attribution is based upon their proposed date, ceramic character and relationship to his early involvement with British pottery design.

Claude Michel, called Clodion, was an important French Rococo sculptor renowned for his terracotta groups of putti, satyrs, animals and mythological figures. His compositions were widely reproduced and adapted in bronze, ceramic and decorative relief during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Provenance
• Private collection.
• Subsequently with a northern English antiques dealer from Haslingden, Rossendale.
• Privately loaned and exhibited at The Lord Hill Museum, according to the supplied provenance label verso.
• Professionally researched, curated and catalogued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.

Dimensions
Width of each framed plaque: 34 cm / 13.4 inches
Height of first plaque: 22.25 cm / 8.8 inches
Height of second plaque: 22 cm / 8.7 inches
Depth of each: 2.5 cm / 1 inch

All dimensions are approximate.

Condition Report
Offered in good antique condition with wear consistent with age.

The ceramic surfaces retain their richly coloured turquoise and blue-green glaze. Fine crazing is visible throughout, particularly within the lighter areas.

Minor surface wear and localised dulling are present across some raised details. Scattered dark marks, deposits, discolouration and firing variation can also be seen.

There are small chips, minor losses, cracks and areas of historic touching-in. These do not significantly detract from the overall presentation.

The matching later black and gilt frames display rubbing, small losses and areas of overpainting or retouching.

Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition report.


Attribution and Research
The historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available evidence, comparative research, published reference material and our experience within the international fine art market.

These observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance or historical interpretation. As with all historic works of art, future documentary discoveries, technical examination, conservation analysis or advances in academic research may refine, expand or revise current interpretations.

Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution
The artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork’s catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record.

Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®
Specialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art.

Every artwork is professionally researched and catalogued using comparative scholarship, published reference material and more than two decades of experience within the international fine art market. We are committed to offering collectors works of artistic and historical merit accompanied by transparent provenance research, detailed catalogue descriptions and professional, client-focused service.

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