Every now and then we have a pleasant surprise when we discover something new. When you’re way past your half century novelty and surprises become less frequent, but they can still pop up and make you smile.
And, this was precisely my response on my most recent visit to Christchurch Mansion when I took the time to scrutinise a few ceramics that I must have hurried past at least ten times before.
These fabulous monsters and goblins are examples of the intriguing and imaginative work of Blanche Georgiana Vulliamy. Startlingly grotesque and so brilliantly coloured I can’t believe I had not noticed them before.
Blanche, one of thirteen children, was born at the family home, Oakstead, on Spring Road, Ipswich, in 1869. In 1890, after finishing her studies at the Ipswich School of Science and Art, she moved to London where she trained as a portrait artist. At some later point in the 1890s she moved down to Devon to live with her grandparents in Torquay. During this time she began working with Royal Aller Vale pottery in Barnstaple.
In her work as a ceramic production designer she created pieces that have the feel of medieval gargoyles. Her work was widely popular and she designed ranges for various manufacturers to produce under their own names. Baron, Wardle, Wileman, Brannam, Watcome as well as Royal Aller Vale all made ranges from her designs.
Naturally, she also sold original pieces from her studio and both Queen Victoria and Queen Alexandra (then Princess of Wales) bought examples of her work.
Blanche was not only a ceramicist, she exhibited paintings at the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours and, whilst living in London, she wrote the play ‘Give Heed’ which was produced by Miss Kate Rorke at the Court Theatre in 1909. The play was also published as a book by Constable & Co. And, then during the course of World War One, Blanche sketched a series of pastels featuring searchlights in the night sky. A collection now held at Christchurch Mansion.
Blanche was active from the end of the 19th century until her death in August, 1923. She bequeathed examples of her work to Ipswich Museum. I have read from old newspapers that Christchurch Mansion held an exhibition of her work in 2001. Perhaps next year, 2023, they might hold another to mark the centenary of her death.
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Agnes Ashe 
How amazing are they?
They most definitely are!
😊
What wonderful work she did, I loved the last one you posted the best. I am hoping to visit the museum later this year so will look out for these ceramics.
When I was finding out about Blanche I saw that the odd piece of her work turns up on eBay with prices between £300 to £500. I expect it goes in and out of fashion like so many ‘collectibles’.
That’s interesting.
Yes, Gorgeously Grotesque covers it. I particularly like that scandalised toucan?/pelican?, though they all show evidence of a highly developed sense of humour.
Oh I so agree about the sense of humour. Every piece seems to have a recognisable human expression emerging from the clay.
Wow. This is a person I would have liked to have known.
Me too. I think she must have been quite a trailblazer.
Her work made me think of this item (plus a couple more) at the Delaware Art Museum that I saw. Which I loved. https://emuseum.delart.org/objects/5496/tobacco-jar-in-the-form-of-a-grotesque?ctx=28c21667edc722bc0d76032b7053acef9744aa0b&idx=48
Thanks for the link. So interesting if a bit scary!
When I see creations like this I always like to imagine how the person’s mind worked. Blanche must have had a quirky sense of humour, I think.
Yes, she was certainly somebody that danced to her own tune.
I have a piece from CH Brannam which fits this description. Is there any way of knowing which are her designs?
I am not sure if she ever used an identifying mark for her work as many were designs she made for and under the name of a pottery manufacturer. I don’t know if the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon, who hold a collection of Brannam pieces, might be able to help. They may have catalogues or inventories in their collection listing pieces with associated designer information or even a similar piece to yours.