Images(2)

Handpainted Bowl

MakerMade by William Miles Johnston (Edinburgh, Scotland, 1893 - 1974)

AssociatedAssociated with Zoo Pottery (Edinburgh, Scotland, 1925 - 1940)

Date1925-1940

Object NameBowl

Mediumpottery

ClassificationsCeramics

DimensionsOverall: Height: 8.1 cm
Rim: Diameter: 26.4 cm

AcquisitionRobinson-Young Collection, purchased in 1998 with assistance from the National Fund for Acquisitions and with income from the John Black Trust and the Hamilton Bequest.

LocationOn Display - Gallery 12

Object numberABDMS030583

Keywords

Decorative

About MeWilliam Miles Johnston, born Edinburgh 1893, trained at Edinburgh College of Art. Between 1925 and 1940 he painted on blanks obtained from the Bo'ness Pottery. Following World War Two he continued to make and market pottery obtaining redware blanks from Braunton Pottery in Devon as well as from other places. Several of the Braunton stamps are datable to the late 1940s after he moved permanently to Kirkcudbright and set up 'The Crafts' shop on Castle Street.

The main themes of his work are animals, often within borders of radiating lines, as can be seen on this bowl. The painted mark on the base of his pottery was a monogram in a circle and the word ZOO.
More About Me

Collections Wall

The artist often drew inspiration from the animal world or decorated his work directly with animals. He’d have probably got sick of painting cat portraits if he ever advertised for commissions!

Exhibitions

Gallery 12 - Art Deco