Egg and Mice, shape no. 313

Worcester Royal Porcelain Company, the only significant English maker of majolica not situated in Staffordshire, was founded in 1751 in the city of Worcester in central England’s West Midlands region. The firm made its reputation in the production of high-quality porcelain, but by the 1840s, both its output and standing had declined. In the second half of the nineteenth century, under the leadership of a new owner, William Henry Kerr (1823–1879), and art director, Richard William Binns (1819–1900), the company embarked on a period of innovation. During this time, it introduced a variety of new ceramic bodies including earthenware with majolica glazes, which it began to manufacture in 1868. The firm subsequently received critical acclaim and international exhibition awards for the sophisticated design of its majolica, noteworthy for its fine, porcelain-like body.

The Mice and Egg model was introduced in 1873 and is an example of Worcester’s production of small-scale objects in majolica, this design was probably intended to hold matches or toothpicks. This model is emblematic of the playful or whimsical nature of some majolica designs of the 1870s and 1880s, when novelty was highly valued. It also underlines the interest during the Victorian period in Britain in the natural world and the observation of animals and their habits.

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Provenance

Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.

Collection of Deborah and Philip English, Baltimore, by 2022, [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; given to the Walters Art Museum, 2024.