William Frend De Morgan: A Master of Victorian Decorative Arts

The vibrant ceramics of William Frend De Morgan (1839 – 1917) are among the most attractive, recognizable, and enduringly popular decorative arts of the late Victorian period. De Morgan, an imaginative and innovative artist-potter, produced thousands of designs for tiles, vases, and dishes, continually experimenting with the technical aspects of pottery production. As a close friend and colleague of William Morris, De Morgan’s work was rooted in the artistic ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement, which emphasized handmade production over industrial methods and sought to beautify homes with functional, aesthetic wares.

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Family and Early Years

William De Morgan was born into a liberal and progressive household. His father, Augustus De Morgan, was a renowned mathematician, and his mother, Sophia, was a social reformer and advocate for women’s education. Encouraged by his parents, De Morgan developed his artistic talents from a young age. He attended evening art classes and eventually won a place at the Royal Academy schools in 1859, where he met other emerging artists, including Henry Holiday, who introduced him to William Morris in 1863.

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Transition to Decorative Arts

De Morgan initially worked in stained glass for Morris’s firm, Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. The revival of stained glass in the 1860s, driven by the Arts and Crafts movement, led De Morgan to experiment with tile-making. He was fascinated by the iridescent beauty of silver paint used in stained glass and sought to replicate this effect on tiles. His experiments led to the establishment of his studio in Chelsea, where he began producing art tiles with the help of assistants like Frank Iles and the Passenger brothers.

The Chelsea Period (1872-1882)

De Morgan’s early tile designs became highly popular, often featuring floral ornamentation and animal motifs. His intricate repeating patterns and vivid colours, such as the ‘Bedford Park Daisy’ and ‘BBB’ designs, were in production for nearly 30 years. This period saw De Morgan perfect his techniques and expand his business, eventually moving to larger Merton Abbey, Surrey premises in 1882.

Merton Abbey and the Influence of Middle Eastern Art

At Merton Abbey, De Morgan had more space to produce ceramic vessels and dishes, allowing him to explore three-dimensional designs. He was heavily influenced by Middle Eastern art, often visiting the South Kensington Museum (now the Victoria and Albert Museum) for inspiration. His stylized leaves and flowers in shades of blue, green, and turquoise became his signature ‘Persian’ style. De Morgan’s tiles adorned many public and private spaces, including the spectacular Arab Hall at Leighton House, Kensington.

Fulham Period (1888-1907)

In 1888, ill health prompted De Morgan to move his pottery closer to home in Fulham, West London. With financial support from his wife Evelyn and his new business partner Halsey Ricardo, De Morgan continued to innovate, perfecting the lustre decoration technique. His work from this period displayed his mastery of this challenging technique, with pieces like the stunning lustre vase held in a portrait by his wife, Evelyn.

Later Years and Literary Career

Despite his success, financial difficulties plagued De Morgan’s pottery business, leading to its closure in 1907. De Morgan began a successful second career as a novelist, writing several popular books. His contributions to the decorative arts, particularly in tile design and ceramic production, remain influential, inspiring contemporary designers and artists.

Sources

Arts and Crafts Movement: Style Icons. (2002). United States: TODTRI.

Austwick, J., Austwick, B. (1980). The Decorated Tile: An Illustrated History of English Tile-making and Design. United Kingdom: Collier MacMillan Canada.

Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing. https://amzn.to/3ElmSlL

De Morgan Foundation. (n.d.). William De Morgan. Retrieved May 27, 2024, from https://www.demorgan.org.uk/discover/the-de-morgans/william-de-morgan/

Victoria and Albert Museum. (n.d.). William De Morgan – an introduction. Retrieved May 27, 2024, from https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/william-de-morgan-an-introduction

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