Book Title : WILLIAM DE MORGAN THE DESIGNS OF POTTERY AND TILES
Author : Martin Greenwood
Book Format : Hardback 256 pages
Language : English
Published : 1989
ISBN : 0903685248
Publisher : Richard Dennis Publications

William De Morgan, one of the most important ceramic designers of the 19th century, was a leading figure in the Arts and Crafts circle of William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelites.

The aim of this book is to make available the complete collection of William De Morgan’s original pottery designs now held in the Designs, Prints and Drawings Department of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The designs were made and used by De Morgan and his studio over a period of nearly forty years and were given to the Museum following De Morgan’s death in 1917 by his widow, Evelyn. The collection numbers over 1200 items and includes the original drawing for most of De Morgan’s best known designs; it also represents a large body of work unknown and probably never realised in pottery, and it provides a valuable record of his working methods.

This collection is supplemented by a group of drawings by De Morgan’s partner, Halsey Ricardo, which were included in the safe gift, and a number of sketches and working drawings from De Morgan’s studio, now in the Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery.