Appendix I
Biographical Details on a selection of exhibitors at Howell & James China
Painting Exhibitions.
Details obtained from Census records 1841 to 1911, newspapers and on line sources
Professional women
Charlotte Spiers, b 1845 in Oxford, daughter of Richard Spiers, China & Glass
merchant, Fancy manufacturer, Stationer and Perfumer, Alderman and magistrate.
Mayor of Oxford 1853. Died 18741. 1881 Census shows her occupation as
Decorative Artist, living with brother Richard Spiers2, Architect. Worked at Minton’s
Art Pottery Studio and later on own account. Robert Edis described her as “an artist
in every sense of the word” and in advocating china painting as an activity for
remuneration used examples of her work in his lectures. 3
Fig 126, Spiers family shop, 102 High Street Oxford, drawn by Cuthbert Bede 1853
Ellen Welby, b. c. 1852 in Canterbury, daughter of William Welby, High Bailiff in
County Court, Canterbury. 1881 census shows her occupation as Artist, living in a
hostel, Russell House, off Tottenham Court Road, with students at School of Art,
Medical Students etc. Possibly a governess to the Gregory family in 1871. Worked at
Minton’s Art Pottery Studio and later on own account. In 1911 she was living with
her sister Ethel Welby and had the profession of Artist and Illustrator. Ethel was an
Artist and teacher.
Florence Lewis, b. 1854 in Lambeth, daughter of Henry Lewis, Army Agent, 1881
census shows her occupation as China Painter, living with sister Isabelle in Lambeth
In 1885 a dessert service decorated by Florence Lewis of Doulton was purchased by
Queen Victoria. Howell and James were allowed to produce two replicas of the
service, but The Lady correspondent does not indicate whether the additional two sets
1
For full details of the Spiers family in Oxford and image of shop see
www.headington.org.uk/owen/mayors/1836-1962/Spiers-Richard-1853.htm
2
Richard Spiers 1834-1916 was a talented watercolourist. His paintings of the Middle East from the
mid 1860s are held in the Victoria & Albert Museum, SD994-SD997
3
Robert W Edis, Decoration & Furniture of Town Houses, 2nd edition ed. (London: Kegan Paul,
1881). p. 255
294
were decorated by Florence Lewis or other Doulton artists nor who the purchasers
might have been.4 She received the Princess Alice Medal (deceased wife of the
Grand Duke of Hesse) and also wrote a book China Painting5 for the guidance of
others in techniques. Lewis’s book showed how images could be built up.
Fig 127 Medieval character
Illustration of the method of building up enamel layers
China Painting by Florence Lewis
Linnie (Katherine) Watt, b 1847, Lambeth , Daughter of General Merchant. 1881
Census shows occupation as Artist and painter. Living at home with family.
An entry by her for the 1883 exhibition of a “broadly treated landscape with figures
after the manner of Lessore, the sale of whose works created a stir among pottery
painters a few years ago”6 This is probably a reference to Emile Lessore (18051876) who worked for Wedgwood between 1860 and 1870 rather than his son Jules
Lessore, a fine artist 1849-1892
Ada Hanbury, b. 1855, Peckham, daughter of General clerk for solicitors’ firm. 1881
census shows her occupation as Artist, drawing and painting, living with sister, a
Governess, and mother in Battersea. Blanche Hanbury, niece of Vicar of Ringwood.
Author of Advanced studies of flower painting in water colours, reproduced from
original drawings, specially made for the work published in 1885
Mrs Catherine Sparkes, b. c 1843 wife of John Sparkes, principal of the Lambeth
School was praised for a ‘meritorious landscape’ in 1878 and two landscapes with
figures in 1885 which were “effective but somewhat weak in the drawing.”7 The
1881 census shows her as “Artist, painter in oil and water colour”
4
"China Painting," The Lady (1885). 21st May 1885 p 430
Florence Lewis, China Painting (London: Cassell, 1883).
6
"Pottery Painting," Daily News 1883. 19th May 1883
7
"China Painting." The Lady p 430 21st May 1885
5
295
Charlotte E. Lohr
Exhibited with Howell and James in 1891
Born in 1850, daughter of the Vicar of Bedingham, Norfolk
Living as a lodger in 1891 at 28 Warwick Road, Kensington, London and her
profession is Artist and China painter. Another lodger was Rosa Sothey, Teacher of
drawing. In 1871 she been a Governess at the Hing’s College, Strand, London
Professional men
Percy Anderson
Exhibited at Howell and James in 1879
Classical head, £30.00
Theatrical designer and noted water colourist. Worked for the D’Oyly Carte Opera,
responsible for the designs for Yeoman of the Guard and all subsequent Gilbert and
Sullivan productions at The Savoy. He also worked with Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree
on Twelfth Night, Merry Wives of Windsor and other Shakespeare plays. . Two
portraits in the National Portrait Gallery of Stephen Philips and Joseph Conrad and a
collection of his costume designs is held in the Victoria and Albert Museum.8
Mr A. De Mol
Exhibited at Howell and James in 1877 and won 1st prize in the professional category
Work by de Mol was sold at Phillips & Son in the same year in a sale of “Artistic
Hand painted china” including work by Prof. Ardy, F. Dumont, F. Torteau and de
Mol.
Amateur Women
Mrs Ellen Mallam, neé Ross (1843-1925)
Exhibited with Howell and James from 1877 to 1881 and also at the Paris Exhibition
of 1878, when her paintings on china of heads ‘were rapidly purchased’ (Daily News,
May 29, 1878). In 1879 her painting ‘Lillies’ was priced £4.15.0.
Born in 1843 she was the grand-daughter of William Ross, one of The Times’ first
foreign correspondents’. Her obituary in The Times, 22 Jan 1925 records that she was
“an artist well known for her exquisite water-colour work. When the craze for china
painting was at its height Mrs Mallam gained several medals, one of which was open
for competition to the whole world. She was asked to give lessons to one of the Royal
family, but circumstances prevented her from having this honour.”
She was also known for her literary work and the census of 1901 gives her occupation
as “Editor of Parliament’s record”. There is no record of her working on Hansard, and
therefore she appears to have succeeded her father, Charles Ross who after 30 years
as chief of staff at The Times was also Director of The Times Parliamentary
Reporters. He died in 1884.
8
"Mr Percy Anderson, Obituary," The Times 1928. 31 October
296
The following appeared in The Times on 15th February 1878
Fig 128
Miss Octavia Rose Harriet Liberty
Exhibited with Howell and James in 1880
Aged 20. “Amateur artist”, Father Turkey Red varnish merchant, sister teacher.
Living at home in Nottingham. Sister of Arthur Lazenby Liberty, founder of
Liberty’s department store in Regent Street London in 1875.
Her sketch books are held in the National Archives.
Miss R.J. Strutt, (Rosa Jameson Strutt)
Exhibited at Howell and James in 1882 and in 1883
Awarded the Princess Christian prize, a silver badge for “a pair of panels which are
painted gay plumaged birds among flowers” In 1883 she was award the Crown
Princess of Germany’s gold medal for amateurs for a pair of panels “beautifully
executed”. (Daily News, May 19 1883), although she was certainly well trained and
arguably professional. Born in Melbourne, Australia in 1861, she was the granddaughter of William Strutt (1777-1850) as well known minature painter and daughter
of artist (also) William Strutt (1825-1915) who went to Australia in 1850, worked as
an artist and draughtsman on the Illustrated Australian Magazine. She is recorded as
having worked at Minton’s Art Pottery Studio prior to its closure in 1877.9 As Rosa
Jameson she is known for her canvas paintings of animals, flowers and birds
Marion Gemmell
Exhibited with Howell and James in 1881
b. c 1838 in Scotland. 1891 Census, Artist and portrait painter, living in Belgravia,
London, with brother Thomas Gemmell, managing director of mining companies.
9
Victoria Bergesen, Encyclopaedia of British Art Pottery 1850-1920 (London: Barrie & Jenkins,
1991). , Bergesen gives her name as Rosa Jameson Strutt, although she was still unmarried in 1881.
Bergesen also shows an Elizabeth Jameson Strutt. This is unlikely as Rosa did not have a sister
Elizabeth, who could have had the same married name. It is possible that this should be Elizabeth
Spiers, sister of Charlotte who was working at Minton at the same period.
297
Dorothea Felix Palmer
Exhibited with Howell and James in 1892
Living in The Avenue, Datchet, Windsor in 1891
Aged 28, single, living at home with her widowed mother who was living on own
means, brother was an Assistant Master. Two other siblings, aged 31 and 26 were also
still living at home. The family had a Cook, aged 17 and a housemaid, aged 16.
Father, Felix Palmer, had been Curate of Loughton and is not recorded later than the
1861 census.
Miss Rischgitz
Exhibited with Howell and James in 1879
Probably Maria or Alice, one of the daughters of Edouard Rischgitz (1828-1908). who
also exhibited in the 1879 exhibition as a professional, was born in Switzerland and
came to the UK in 1864 when he started working for Minton. In about 1870 he
worked for Copeland before moving to London as a freelance. A contemporary of
Emile Lessore who was working at Wedgwood, he worked in the Barbotine style10.
Both Maria and Alice were recognised artists. Under the will of Maria Georgiana
Rischgitz a prize of £100 was founded in 1939, awarded to the student of the Slade
School who is judged to have produced the best oil painting of the year.
Lady Augusta Cadogan (d. 1892)
Exhibited at Howell and James 1877, 1878
A peeress in her own right, the daughter of the 3rd Earl Cadogan. Lady in waiting to
the dowager Duchess of Cambridge, an aunt of Queen Victoria. She died in 1892 and
the Howell and James exhibitions only appear to have continued as part of the London
Season for another year. It can be speculated that the loss of her patronage and
support lead to a decline in popularity.
A lithograph by her of Honoraria, Countess Cadogan is in the National Portrait
Gallery ref. NPG D32532
Lady Willoughby
Clementina Drummond-Willoughby, 24th Baroness Willoughby de Eresby
Exhibited at Howell and James 1878.
A member of the executive committee of the Primrose League. The Primrose League
was set up to promote Conservative values through social events and supporting the
community. As women were able to join, this gave females of all classes the ability to
mix with local and national political figures. Many also had important roles such as
bringing voters to the polls. This removed segregation and promoted political literacy
amongst women.
Lady Julia Wombwell
Exhibited with Howell and James 1881
Wife of Sir George Wombwell, Baronet, Magistrate and Landowner
Aged 29 with five children under 10 years of age
Living at Newburgh Hall, Yorkshire, with large staff
10
www.spode.co.uk/history/artists.htm accessed 01/06/09
298
Viscountess Hood (neé Havell)
Exhibited with Howell and James in 1879 and awarded Crown Princess’s mdeal
Possibly wife of the First Sea Lord, Admiral Arthur William Acland Hood, 1st Baron
Hood of Avalon GCB.
Countess of Warwick
Exhibited with Howell and James in 1878, awarded Crown Princess’s medal for her
portrait of Lady Eva Greville
Daughter of Earl of Wemyss and wife of George Greville, 4th Earl of Warwick (MP
for South Warwickshire). Mother in law of Daisy who became Countess of Warwick
in 1883 and mistress of Edward VII.
Amateur men
Colonel Hope Crealock
Exhibited at Howell and James in 1877
In March 1869 he was a military attaché in Vienna and by November 1879 was
fighting in the Zulu Wars in South Africa. He had been appointed Lt. Col. General by
1879. Mrs North Crealock was praised for her door plates in 187811
Capt. Talbot Coke
Exhibited at Howell and James in 1877 and 1879
Two landscapes, one entitled ‘Evening Time’ at the second exhibition in 1877,12 and
‘On the Thames’ in 1879
Later Major General, commanded the 10th Brigade, South Africa Field Force and
fought at the Battle of Spion Kop, Boer War 1899. Heir to Pinxton Collieries.13
Husband of Charlotte Talbot Coke, editor of Hearth & Home
Ernest Langstaffe
Exhibited at Howell and James in 1878
Artist, living at Eckstein Road, Battersea.
11
"The Exhibition of Paintings on China," Magazine of Art (1878). p 179
"Modern Art Pottery," Daily News 19th July 1877.
13
Deborah Cohen, Household Gods, the British and Their Possessions (London: Yale University Press,
2006). p. 240 n.103
12
299
Bergesen, Victoria. Encyclopaedia of British Art Pottery 1850-1920. London: Barrie
& Jenkins, 1991.
"China Painting." The Lady (1885).
Cohen, Deborah. Household Gods, the British and Their Possessions. London: Yale
University Press, 2006.
Edis, Robert W. Decoration & Furniture of Town Houses. 2nd edition ed. London:
Kegan Paul, 1881.
"The Exhibition of Paintings on China." Magazine of Art (1878).
"Http://Www.Spode.Co.Uk/History/Artists.Htm."
Lewis, Florence. China Painting. London: Cassell, 1883.
"Modern Art Pottery." Daily News 19th July 1877.
"Mr Percy Anderson, Obituary." The Times 1928.
"Pottery Painting." Daily News 1883.
300