Frances A Baker, Potter

One of the earliest extant items produced at the Blackheath School of Art is the earthenware vase with sgraffito decoration featuring hounds chasing a stag and birds in a treed landscape created by Frances A Baker in 1901. This vase is now in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum and can be seen on display in the ceramics study collection cabinets albeit on the top shelf of the cabinet strategically placed behind two other objects.[1] 

Frances A Baker, Vase, 1901, Victoria and Albert Museum.
Source: http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O16962/vase-baker-frances-a/

The school of art student exhibition of 1904 refers to ‘creditable canvases’ (paintings) by Miss Baker amongst others.[2] Baker’s creative skills were also recognised by the panel of examiners from the National Board of Examiners as she was the winner of a National Book Prize for her Design of printed muslins in 1903.[3]

Looking through census records there are so many Frances Bakers listed that it is currently impossible to discover any more information about the Frances Baker who attended the Blackheath School of Arts in the 1900’s. I will add more information as it becomes available.

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[1] The actual location is - Ceramics Study Galleries, Britain & Europe, room 139, case 34, shelf 4

[2] “Art Exhibitions: Blackheath School of Art”, Arts & Crafts Magazine, vol. 1-2, Hutchinson & Company, 1904, p.325. Baker is a common name although it is my assumption that it is possibly Frances Baker referred to as ‘Miss Baker’.

[3] National Competition 1903, List of Students Awarded, 1903, p. 14.