Wally Bird

A Wally Bird is a tobacco jar or vase in the style of a grotesque owl or bird, first termed for the sculptural productions in this form by Robert Wallace Martin. These were typical examples of Martinware salt-glazed stoneware which was produced by the Martin Brothers in their pottery; first in Fulham and then in Southall.

Martin Brothers Wally Bird, 1896.

The Wally Birds were popular but did not make the Martins wealthy; the pottery closed in 1914.

Examples of these birds now sell at auction for large sums of money.[1][2][3]

References

  1. Jonathan Oates (2003), Southall and Hanwell, p. 67
  2. Fiona Gallagher (2000), Christie's art nouveau, the Martin Brothers were extremely popular with their series of 'Wally Bird' tobacco jars formed as grotesque, comical or pensive owl-like birds
  3. Thorpe, Vanessa (2019-11-10). "Martin brothers' quirky bird jar expected to fetch up to £50,000 at auction". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
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