Fairyland lustre leap-frogging elves chalice cup - 1916
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Fairyland lustre leap-frogging elves chalice cup
© Wedgwood Museum
The chalice-shaped vase decorated with a scene of leap-frogging elves against a sunset sky, designed by Daisy Makeig Jones is visually captivating. However it also represents a sequence of complex manufacturing techniques and could have taken as many as six firings in the kilns at Etruria.
In 1916, Susannah Margeretta ‘Daisy’ Makeig-Jones, introduced an extensive range of some of the most extraordinary ware ever produced by Wedgwood. It was called Fairyland lustre and adorned a large number of shapes, some of which were made especially for the purpose. Daisy’s fairies came from many cultural backgrounds and the articles they decorate often tell complex tales. Here, on the chalice cup, we simply see elves against a sunset sky enjoying a game of leapfrog. However, the simple antics of the fairies belie the technical expertise needed to make each piece of Fairyland lustre – some of which needed as many as six firings. Daisy’s Fairyland remained popular until well into the 1920s when the Wall Street crash and a change in taste saw that it was gradually discontinued. According to factory history, Daisy was asked to leave in 1930 but flatly refused to do so. She felt like a member of the family. Not long afterwards, she herself decided to leave, making the dramatic gesture of smashing her pots as she went.
- Type of object: Ornamental ware/chalice cup
- Mark: Portland Vase WEDGWOOD ENGLAND Z 5320 [All printed in gold]
- Year first produced: 1916
- Body: Bone china
- Material: Ceramic
- Decoration: Lustre
- Accession number: 9898
- Dimensions: 170 mm (height), 201 mm (diameter)
Related people
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Daisy Makeig-Jones
Designer
Daisy Makeig-Jones - Designer
Susannah Margaretta "Daisy" Makeig-Jones was a pottery designer for Wedgwood. She is best known for her range of "Fairyland Lustre" pottery. The daughter of a doctor, she was born in Rotherham. After her family moved to Torquay she entered the Torquay School of Art. She joined Wedgwood in 1909, after gaining an introduction to the managing director Cecil Wedgwood through a relative. Both of Cecil's daughters married brothers of hers. According to factory history,Daisy was asked to leave Wedgwood in 1930.She refused to go,maintaining she was part of the family.She left of her own accord not long afterwards making the dramatic gesture of smashing her pots as she went!
