Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level D , Case C, Shelf 107

Drawing

late 19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

William de Morgan (1839-1917) was an eminent designer and potter. He was associated with the Art and Crafts movements and worked closely with William Morris, which shaped his artistic ideals. De Morgan is perhaps best known for his prolific tile production that drew inspiration from Middle-Eastern motifs and Italian Renaissance patterns. Other inspirations included nature, the work of William Morris, medieval art, and 16th- and 17th-century engravings for Dutch tile designs. He was interested in both the technical and aesthetic aspect of ceramic decoration.

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Discover more about this object
read William De Morgan – an introduction With their vibrant colours and captivating designs, the ceramics of William De Morgan (1839 – 1917) are among the most attractive, recognisable, and enduringly popular decorative arts of the late Victorian period.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
pencil with sepia and polychrome wash
Brief description
Four vase designs, William De Morgan, late 19th century
Physical description
Four vase designs of various shapes, with snake, fish, antelope and Persian floral decoration.
Dimensions
  • Height: 273mm (Note: taken from Greenwood (1989))
  • Width: 375mm (Note: taken from Greenwood (1989))
Style
Marks and inscriptions
The red on this pot is not lustre but underglaze pink or crimson x - there is a light band all around x - just a pale tint of brown to separate flowers (inscribed in pencil next to right-hand vase)
Credit line
Given by Mrs William de Morgan
Subjects depicted
Summary
William de Morgan (1839-1917) was an eminent designer and potter. He was associated with the Art and Crafts movements and worked closely with William Morris, which shaped his artistic ideals. De Morgan is perhaps best known for his prolific tile production that drew inspiration from Middle-Eastern motifs and Italian Renaissance patterns. Other inspirations included nature, the work of William Morris, medieval art, and 16th- and 17th-century engravings for Dutch tile designs. He was interested in both the technical and aesthetic aspect of ceramic decoration.
Bibliographic reference
Published in M. Greenwood, The Designs of William De Morgan (Shepton Beauchamp, 1989), p.75
Collection
Accession number
E.1343A-1917

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Record createdJuly 1, 2009
Record URL
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