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William De Morgan

William de Morgan is known for the decorative pottery that he produced in his London factories in Chelsea and at Merton Abbey in the 1870 and ‘80s. This was a mixture of three-dimensional hollow-wares, large dishes or chargers, and decorative tiles and tile panels.

Much of de Morgan's work was inspired by middle eastern, especially Isnik, pottery in its use of pattern, palette and lustre glazes. Other pieces have a more arts and crafts feel. Several highly skilled artist/ decorators interpreted de Morgan’s designs at the factory among them Charles and Fred Passenger.


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Grotesque proves attractive when it comes to Martinware

08 January 2024

Latest ceramics sales demonstrate how Martinware demand has moved on beyond Wally Birds

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De Morgan tile meanders into the saleroom

15 May 2023

Following the sales series last October, Christie’s will offer a second instalment of works from the Ann and Gordon Getty collection in June.

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William de Morgan record for Goodison’s £45 vase

06 June 2022

An Arts and Crafts vase designed by William de Morgan set an auction record at Christie's.

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Collecting couple who revived the ‘unfashionable’ Victorian market

03 January 2022

Rose and Gallichan sale reflects pioneering spirit of a duo fascinated by late 19th century design.

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Striking William de Morgan tile is among five lots to watch this week

23 August 2021

With estimates from £1000-6000, here are five previews of upcoming items this week including a William de Morgan tile from the author of a book on the subject.

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Four sales prove better by design at Lyon & Turnbull

31 May 2021

Extensive cross-section of design-themed objects offered in Edinburgh and London by same auction house

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Kinghams showcases British art pottery in new venue

17 May 2021

Second sale since auction house move and name change is a British art pottery success

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De Morgan belter in Belfast

17 May 2021

Bloomfield Auctions (15% buyer’s premium) in Belfast achieved a house record on May 11 with the sale of this William De Morgan vase for £15,000.

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ATG letter: The Morris label is from later date

04 January 2021

MADAM – Re: your article on the William De Morgan ‘Frightened Bird’ dish sold for £27,000 at Martel Maides (Pick of the Week, ATG No 2471).

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Pick of the week: De Morgan’s Frightened Bird flaps to £27,000

07 December 2020

This 14in (36cm) diameter ‘double lustre’ shallow dish or charger by William De Morgan (1839-1917) is decorated in the so-called ‘Frightened Bird’ pattern.

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Martin Brothers bird among highlights of two-day decorative sale

26 October 2020

More than 700 lots of Decorative Arts and Design spanning the 19th through to the early years of this century were offered for sale by Woolley & Wallis (25/12% buyer’s premium) in Salisbury over two days.

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De Morgan panel offered in Edinburgh

26 October 2020

This William de Morgan six-tile panel from c.1880 will feature in a two-day sale, Decorative Arts: Design since 1860, at Lyon & Turnbull in Edinburgh on November 2-3.

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De Morgan tile bought for £8 on a stall takes £3800 at auction

26 October 2020

The Tavistock Pannier Market may well see an influx of sleeper-hunters following the canny purchase in June of a piece described as ‘a Cornish tile’.

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De Morgan sets house record in Fife

06 July 2020

This 12½in (31cm) ruby lustre jar and cover, a textbook piece from William De Morgan’s Sands End Pottery (1888-1907), was the star at a recent sale at Bowler & Binnie (16% buyer’s premium) in Dunfermline.

Silverplated nutmeg grater

William De Morgan jar and Portobello Road dealer’s nutmeg grater are among five auction highlights that caught bidders’ eyes

19 June 2020

ATG’s selection of hammer highlights this week includes a William De Morgan red lustre jar that made five-times estimate and a silverplated nutmeg grater from the late Portobello Road market stalwart Joan Dunk (1930-2019) that went 15-times over estimate.

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De Morgan Foundation goes digital with new initiative to attract a wider audience for artists work

20 August 2019

The De Morgan Foundation is launching a series of initiatives to bring the works of Evelyn De Morgan (1855-1919) and her husband William (1839-1917) to a wider audience.

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Another good day on the tiles for De Morgan

21 January 2019

The British Art Pottery sales at Woolley & Wallis have posted some remarkable sums for single William De Morgan tiles.

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William De Morgan tiles fly in Wolverhampton

19 June 2017

A group of five 8in (20cm) William de Morgan (1839-1917) tiles drew lively competitive bids at Cuttlestones in Wolverhampton on June 8.

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Bidders swoop for rare kingfisher tile

28 July 2012

A rare blue and white version of William De Morgan’s design of a kingfisher catching a fish while perched on a branch appeared at the latest Arts & Crafts sale at Woolley & Wallis in Salisbury.