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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 145

Vase
1888-1898 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This vase was produced by the studio of William de Morgan whose output included some of the most distinctive wares of the nineteenth century art-pottery movement. His studio, with a focus on the creation of 'artistic' wares and the tireless experiments of De Morgan himself to reproduce various colours and glazes, was regarded as the antithesis of the large impersonal and industrialised factories. De Morgan was greatly influenced by Italian renaissance and Iznik ceramics, and aimed to perfect the vibrant lustres of such wares, as demonstrated on this vase.

De Morgan moved his pottery several times during his career, to meet the changing demands of his life and work, first at Chelsea (1872-82), then at Merton Abbey (1882-88) and finally at Fulham (1888-1898) after which De Morgan played an increasingly detached role in the company. This vase, although unmarked and undated, was probably made during the Fulham period when De Morgan produced some of his most exciting designs.

De Morgan was also associated with the Arts and Crafts movement in Britain producing ceramics for William Morris


Object details

Categories
Object type
Title
Materials and techniques
Earthenware with lustre glaze on cream-coloured slip
Brief description
Vase, William de Morgan, England, lustre-ware depicting a snake and a peacock.
Physical description
Large inverted pear-shaped vase with cylindrical neck joined to the body with handles, painted in yellow and ruby lustres on a cream-coloured slip. The main designs are those of a snake about to strike, and a peacock spreading its tail, both painted in lustres against a floral background. Birds and scrollwork are painted on the neck.
Dimensions
  • Height: 32.5cm
  • At maximum diameter: 21.5cm
Gallery label
Vase William de Morgan, England, C.79-1923 Given by Miss Evelyn Brooke in memory of her father, the Rev.S.Brooke(23/05/2008)
Credit line
Given by Miss Evelyn Brooke in memory of her father, the Rev. Stopford Brooke
Subjects depicted
Summary
This vase was produced by the studio of William de Morgan whose output included some of the most distinctive wares of the nineteenth century art-pottery movement. His studio, with a focus on the creation of 'artistic' wares and the tireless experiments of De Morgan himself to reproduce various colours and glazes, was regarded as the antithesis of the large impersonal and industrialised factories. De Morgan was greatly influenced by Italian renaissance and Iznik ceramics, and aimed to perfect the vibrant lustres of such wares, as demonstrated on this vase.

De Morgan moved his pottery several times during his career, to meet the changing demands of his life and work, first at Chelsea (1872-82), then at Merton Abbey (1882-88) and finally at Fulham (1888-1898) after which De Morgan played an increasingly detached role in the company. This vase, although unmarked and undated, was probably made during the Fulham period when De Morgan produced some of his most exciting designs.

De Morgan was also associated with the Arts and Crafts movement in Britain producing ceramics for William Morris
Bibliographic references
  • Pinkham, Roger. Catalogue of the Pottery by William De Morgan. London : Victoria and Albert Museum, 1973.
  • Adamson, Glenn, Martina Droth and Simon Olding (ed.s) Things of Beauty Growing British Studio Pottery. New Haven, London, 2017 p. 400, 401
  • Victorian and Edwardian Decorative Arts, London : H.M.S.O., 1952
Collection
Accession number
C.79-1923

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Record createdMarch 31, 2008
Record URL
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