Person    | Male  Born 4/5/1843  Died 10/7/1923

Robert Wallace Martin

Categories: Sculpture

Sculptor, normally referred to as Wallace, rather than Robert. Born Upper Thames Street. He was the lead sculptor in the art pottery factory run by him and his three brothers, producing  from the 1870s through to 1914, when the Martin Brothers Potters closed. A small amount of work continued to be produced until Wallace died, the last of the four.

Wallace trained as a sculptor and started the pottery in 1873 in Fulham (Pomona House, 111 New King's Road - still there and looking very much the artists' studio). It moved to Havelock Road, Southall (all redeveloped, nothing from the period remaining) in 1877. The brothers divided the work as follows: Walter - glazing and firing, Edwin - colouring, Charles (b. September 1846) - advising about customer preferences. The creative work of the sculptor was Wallace's. He specialised in fantastique, grotesque and wondrous beasts. 

In 1870 he joined the Plymouth Brethren and attended weekly meetings for the rest of his life.

In the c.1900 photograph Wallace is seated at the left, with behind him, reading left to right: Edwin, Walter, Charles.

The Phillips 2015 catalogue Wondrous Beasts, Feathered Fantasies is very informative with many photos of the work. From that catalogue: "1874: Wallace is introduced to the ironmonger Frederick Nettlefold, a patron who purchases and displays the Martin Brothers' works in his showroom, and orders tiles for the boardroom fireplace after visiting Pomona House. 1877: Nettlefold advances the Martin Brothers the money to secure premises at Southall Middlesex." Nettlefold continued as a good patron until his death in 1913.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials created by the subject on this page:
Robert Wallace Martin

Creations i

Norwood fountain - Autumn

Autumn is clutching an armful of fruit.

Read More

Norwood fountain - Junius

Most of this decorative rim has been lost. Only this 'Junius' section and, to...

Read More

Norwood fountain - Spring

Spring carries a bag of seeds and his job is to walk the fields casting the s...

Read More

Other Subjects

Joseph Anton Couriguer

Joseph Anton Couriguer

Goldsmith modeller.  Born Switzerland into a family of artists.  Died Paris.

Person, Sculpture, France, Switzerland

1 memorial
Lady Hetta Empson

Lady Hetta Empson

Sculptor and political activist. Born as Hester Henrietta Crouse in South Africa. Studied art and sculpture. Supported Communism and the black workers in South Africa. Travelled to Europe and drove...

Person, Sculpture, China/Hong Kong, South Africa

1 memorial
MDM Props

MDM Props

From their website: "MDM works with Artists and Galleries from across the globe, fabricating artworks in a multitude of materials to the highest standards. We work closely with each artist to under...

Group, Craft / Design, Sculpture

5 memorials
Edward Strong

Edward Strong

Master mason for St George's Bloomsbury.

Person, Sculpture

1 memorial
John Bell

John Bell

Sculptor. Born Norfolk though his family home was in Suffolk. On the Albert Memorial the America group is his. Died at home at 15 Douro Place, Victoria Road, Kensington.

Person, Sculpture

2 memorials

Previously viewed

Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission

Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission

From their website: "The Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission will ensure that the bereaved families, survivors and North Kensington residents lead decision-making on the long-term future of the Gren...

Group, History, Tragedy

1 memorial
William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare

Born and died in Stratford-upon-Avon. His birth date is usually given as the 23rd, the same date as his death, but all that is actually known is that he was baptised 3 days later, on the 26th. Even...

Person, Poetry, Seriously Famous, Theatre

47 memorials
Gerard Manley Hopkins - SW15

Gerard Manley Hopkins - SW15

SW15, Holybourne Avenue, Parkstead House, Roehampton University

The 'SJ' after his name means he was a Jesuit, a member of the Society of Jesus. 

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Thomas Millwood

Thomas Millwood

See Francis Smith for the story.

Person, Paranormal

1 memorial