Martin Brothers

British, 1873-1914

The Martin Brothers, Robert Wallace, Charles, Walter, and Edwin, were English potters celebrated for their imaginative and sculptural ceramics that bridged the decorative and the surreal. Working from the 1870s through the early 20th century, they are best known for their expressive bird jars, aquatic forms, and grotesque face vessels—collectively known as Martinware.

Born in London between 1843 and 1860, each brother played a distinct role within the firm. Robert Wallace, trained in sculpture at the Lambeth School of Art and the Royal Academy, established the pottery in 1873. By 1877, the studio had relocated to Southall where Walter took on throwing, Edwin focused on decoration, often with sea life and floral motifs, and Charles managed the retail side.

Their work, primarily in salt-glazed stoneware, is marked by richly textured surfaces and an earthy palette of browns, greens, blues, and greys. Rejecting purely utilitarian forms, the Martin Brothers approached ceramics as expressive art, attracting a devoted following among collectors and connoisseurs.

The firm closed in 1914 after the deaths of Charles, Edwin, and Walter. Today, Martinware remains highly sought after for its technical ingenuity, distinctive character, and place within the history of British studio pottery.