British Decorative Arts (Page 5)

The British Decorative Arts tag explores the craftsmanship, design movements, and cultural influences shaping Britain’s decorative arts heritage. From the grandeur of Georgian interiors to the revolutionary Arts and Crafts movement, British decorative arts encompass furniture, textiles, ceramics, glass, metalwork, and more. This category highlights key periods, designers, and stylistic innovations that define British design traditions.

Topics include:

  • Georgian and Regency Elegance – The refined craftsmanship of Thomas Chippendale, Robert Adam, and Thomas Sheraton.
  • Victorian Ornamentation – The rise of eclecticism and industrial production in British decorative arts.
  • Arts and Crafts Movement – The impact of William Morris, Charles Voysey, and the Guild of Handicraft on handmade design.
  • British Ceramics and Porcelain – Iconic works from Wedgwood, Spode, and Royal Doulton.
  • Art Nouveau and Art Deco in Britain – Designers like Archibald Knox and Clarice Cliff who shaped British modernism.
  • Mid-Century and Contemporary Design – The influence of Terence Conran, Lucienne Day, and Tom Dixon on modern British decorative arts.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) awards, established in 1836, celebrate architectural excellence, reflecting design evolution and aesthetic values. The diverse categories showcase the intertwining of architecture with the decorative and applied arts.Read More →

Screenshot project page Neville Brody

Neville Brody rose to prominence during the early 1980s surge of “designerism”: a period when the British economy was considered to be expanding, marketing, promotion, and “cultural entrepreneurship” were in the air, and young culture was a money-spinner.Read More →

Hallmark example

A hallmark is a symbol or device struck at an assay office on gold or silver, indicating that article conforms to legal standards of manufacture established by the monarch, local guilds, government etc. Literally, mark applied at Goldsmith’s Hall (London assay office since 1300) but extended to cover e.g. all five stamps found on Victorian silver until 1890: assay office mark specific to each assay office; Read More →