Aesthetic Movement Marine Motif Stoneware Bowl by Doulton Lambeth, circa 1880

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Aesthetic Movement Marine Motif Stoneware Bowl by Doulton Lambeth, circa 1880

A rare and visually arresting Victorian stoneware centerpiece bowl … Read more Aesthetic Movement Marine Motif Stoneware Bowl by Doulton Lambeth, circa 1880

A rare and visually arresting Victorian stoneware centerpiece bowl by Doulton Lambeth, dating to the Aesthetic Movement period, circa 1880. This hand-crafted bowl is a masterwork of naturalistic design, combining organic form with sculptural marine decoration.

The undulating, lobed rim is finished in a subtly mottled celadon and taupe glaze, suggestive of seafoam or a mollusk shell. The bowl sits atop a richly modeled and polychrome base adorned with crayfish, shells, coral, seaweed, and flowers, all rendered in striking high relief. Two prominent crustaceans anchor the composition, surrounded by encrusted flora and fauna in vivid blue, red, yellow, and green tones. Each element has been individually sculpted and painted, making this a tour de force of Doulton’s decorative stoneware production.

The design reflects the Aesthetic Movement’s embrace of the natural world and rejection of industrial uniformity. Its marine theme, asymmetry, and emphasis on texture and color harmony align closely with the period’s artistic philosophy of “art for art’s sake.” The use of naturalistic motifs and organic shaping evokes parallels with the works of contemporaries such as Christopher Dresser and the Martin Brothers.

Impressed DOULTON mark to the base, consistent with production prior to the Royal Doulton designation in 1901.

Dimensions: 10” L x 8.5” D x 5.5” H
Base: 6.5” x 4.4”
Condition:
Very good antique condition. Minor expected glaze crazing and rubbing to high points. Minor losses to applied marine figures and rim See less