William De Morgan: Arts and Crafts Potter

William De Morgan designed and manufactured ceramics from 1870-1907, and lifelong friendships with William Morris and Edward Burne Jones placed him at the heart of the Arts and Crafts revolution. After designing stained glass for William Morris, De Morgan set up his own pottery works. His personal vision was for intense underglaze colours and shimmering lustres to show off his designs of fabulous animal, rich florals in the Morris tradition, and flowing Persian curves. Although the pottery was not a financial success, William De Morgan has left us a unique design legacy.

De Morgan was unquestionably the art and crafts movement's most important potter. Today his work is part of some of the world's major art collection, and changes hands for very high prices. This is the only book available that looks at both the man and his works, covering his life, a brief history of the Arts & Crafts Movement, his relationship with William Morris and other Pre-Raphaelite Artists and his involvement in the Arts & Crafts Society. This title also details how these ceramics were made, and includes photographs of many rare or unknown designs, along with suggestions for further reading and suggested places to visit.

The authors have been passionate about the Arts and Crafts movement for over thirty years; Chris as a young collector appeared with Paul Atterbury on the BBC Antiques Roadshow in the 1980's, while Rob saved his pocket money to spend at the Moorcroft factory in Stoke on Trent, when pre-war seconds were being cleared out in the 1970's. Their passion for William De Morgan and contacts with other collectors has allowed them access to many designs that have not previously been illustrated.