Stork, shape no. 1916

In the early to mid-1870s Minton & Co. introduced several models in majolica that rendered animals with great liveliness and fidelity. These models, largely bird figures, proved to be quite popular, and soon competing manufacturers were creating their own animal models. In fact, the stork model being presented here and a matching heron figure were both copied and made in various sizes by a competing English pottery, Joseph Holdcroft. Minton featured the stork model in international exhibition displays including the Centennial Exhibition of 1876 in Philadelphia and the Exposition Universelle of 1876 in Paris. Animal figures seemed to have a long-lasting sales appeal for Minton as is documented by the fact that this example was produced in 1902, almost 30 years after the model was first introduced, placing it towards the end of the production of majolica at the firm that originated the medium around 1850.

Longtime Minton modeler John Hénk created this depiction of a white stork (Ciconia ciconia), a bird native to Europe, parts of Asia, and Africa, in the early 1870s. Hénk was born in Germany but was brought as a child to England in about 1854 where his father, Christian Hénk found work as a porcelain painter for Minton. The younger Hénk studied at the art school in Stoke-upon-Trent in the 1860s, one of several regional schools established to foster arts education by the national Department of Science and Art. Hénk worked at Mintons from the early 1860s until his retirement in 1911 as chief modeler for the firm. He also taught ceramic modeling for many years at another local arts school, located in the town of Hanley.

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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.

With Nick Boston Antiques, London, by 1995; purchased by Deborah and Philip English, Baltimore, 1995; given to the Walters Art Museum, 2024.