James Dewdney - Vase

James Dewdney for Brannam Pottery – Vase, England, 1881
A richly incised Brannam vase

A distinctive 19th-century ceramic vase by James Dewdney for Brannam Pottery, dating from 1881. Its elegant ovoid body rises into a generously flared trumpet neck, creating a balanced silhouette that is characteristic of the decorative ceramics produced by Brannam in the late Victorian period.

The body is decorated with two large incised panels, each depicting a different motif: a horse or a peacock surrounded by flowers. These figurative scenes are framed by stylised flower heads and foliage, creating a richly textured surface in which natural forms and decorative pattern are seamlessly combined.

The vase is incised “CH Brannam Barum N Devon 1881”, identifying its production at Brannam Pottery in North Devon. The combination of its sculptural form, detailed incised decoration and naturalistic imagery makes it a particularly expressive example of late 19th-century English ceramic art.

Designer: James Dewdney
Manufacturer: Brannam Pottery
Origin: England
Year: 1881
Materials: Ceramic
Dimensions: H: 42.5 cm
Mark: Incised “CH Brannam Barum N Devon 1881”; no artist’s monogram