Panel thumbnail 1
Panel thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 125c

Panel

1888-1897 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
As well as designing a wide range of individual tiles, William De Morgan (1839-1917) also designed and produced pictorial tile panels. The smaller versions of these were sometimes framed for display as pictures, or were used in fireplaces. Larger panels, such as this example, would have been used in architectural settings, possibly above, or in the sides of, grander fireplaces, or on bathroom walls. De Morgan also supplied many tile panels for the decoration of smoking rooms on ocean liners of the P&O company. For convenience in installation, tile panels were often supplied mounted on cement or backed by a layer of plain or misfired tiles.

Design & Designing
De Morgan had a great interest in Islamic tilework, much of which was thought to be Persian in the 19th century. He frequently drew inspiration from it for his own designs. These Islamic-inspired patterns, and the dominant range of colours (turquoise, blue, green and purple) that De Morgan developed in conjunction with them, were also often termed 'Persian'. They were in fact more closely related to the tilework of Syria and Turkey. The different regional types of Islamic tile were little understood in the 19th century, despite the acquisition of large quantities of Islamic tiles by European collectors. The design of this panel playfully combines stylised floral decoration of Islamic inspiration on the vase, with more naturalistic sprays of flowers and foliage springing from it.

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interact William De Morgan's tiles A master of ceramic design, William De Morgan (1839 – 1917) is perhaps best known for his prolific production of painted tiles. The flat surface of tiles provided De Morgan with an ideal base for decoration, which he used to create bold yet intricate designs that were easily adapted into v...

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Buff-coloured earthenware, with painting over a white slip
Brief description
tile panel
Dimensions
  • Panel height: 61.4cm
  • Panel width: 40.5cm
  • Depth: 1.9cm
  • Each tile height: 20.6cm
  • Each tile width: 20.6cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 28/05/1999 by Terry Each tile measures 20.6 x 20.6 x 1.9 cms
Marks and inscriptions
Marked with a rose surmounted by the words 'Wm DE MORGAN & CO. SANDS END POTTERY FULHAM'
Gallery label
British Galleries: William De Morgan developed this characteristic style of tile decoration. He was inspired directly by tiles that were often called 'Persian' in the 19th century but probably originated from Syria or Turkey rather than Iran. The turquoise, blue and green colour range was typical and flowers and artichokes became common design motifs. This kind of panel was used in fashionable decorative schemes as wall decoration.(27/03/2003)
Object history
Designed by William De Morgan (born in London, 1839, died there in 1917) and made at the firm's Sands End Pottery, Fulham, London
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Summary
Object Type
As well as designing a wide range of individual tiles, William De Morgan (1839-1917) also designed and produced pictorial tile panels. The smaller versions of these were sometimes framed for display as pictures, or were used in fireplaces. Larger panels, such as this example, would have been used in architectural settings, possibly above, or in the sides of, grander fireplaces, or on bathroom walls. De Morgan also supplied many tile panels for the decoration of smoking rooms on ocean liners of the P&O company. For convenience in installation, tile panels were often supplied mounted on cement or backed by a layer of plain or misfired tiles.

Design & Designing
De Morgan had a great interest in Islamic tilework, much of which was thought to be Persian in the 19th century. He frequently drew inspiration from it for his own designs. These Islamic-inspired patterns, and the dominant range of colours (turquoise, blue, green and purple) that De Morgan developed in conjunction with them, were also often termed 'Persian'. They were in fact more closely related to the tilework of Syria and Turkey. The different regional types of Islamic tile were little understood in the 19th century, despite the acquisition of large quantities of Islamic tiles by European collectors. The design of this panel playfully combines stylised floral decoration of Islamic inspiration on the vase, with more naturalistic sprays of flowers and foliage springing from it.
Collection
Accession number
361-1905

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Record createdMay 27, 1999
Record URL
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