Artist: MJ for Maw and Co
Object Number: C_1967_0006
Date: 1800 - 1900
Category: Ceramic, Charger, Jackfield, and Lustre-glazed earthenware
Material: Lustre-glazed earthenware
Dimensions: Diameter 510mm
Inscriptions: MJ and Maw and Co Camel
Description:

Ruby Lustre Charger with a galleon and three fish below, decorated by M.J. and marked with the Maw and Co. camel insignia. Maw & Co. was heavily influenced by the ceramics of William De Morgan. This was particularly so in the field of lusterware, as these items demonstrate. The exact production details of this charger is unclear. Whilst it was certainly manufactured by Maw & Co., it is marked as being designed by ‘M.J’.

Two of the four Maw and Co. chargers in the De Morgan Collection have labels written by Mrs Stirling indicating they were made by William De Morgan. Few details are known, however, there is an ‘MJ’ listed as working as an artist for De Morgan from 1880 and it is possible that they are one and the same. It remains to be seen whether this charger was indeed decorated at the De Morgan site or by an artist working at Jackfield, after a design. Both scenarios are possible. it is however, more probable, that Mrs Stirling in her later years became confused as to De Morgan’s connection to a stylistically similar work.