Such a fine collection of Martinware grotesques and ‘Wally-birds’ as is offered here not only refreshes the admiration one has always felt for the brothers’ work, but provides an opportunity to re-examine the creative genius of Robert Wallace Martin. Although Walter was responsible for glazing and ring, Edwin for colouring (sometimes), and Charles for advising about customer preferences, the birds and monsters were essentially the product of Wallace’s rich imagination and prodigious skill as a modeller and carver - or, more simply, as a sculptor. For these stoneware figures are indeed sculpture.

One of the traits in Wallace’s character which has not perhaps received sufficient attention was his fiercely felt need for independence. He...