Henry Willett's Collection of Popular Pottery

Charming exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum showcasing the ceramics collection of Henry Willett.

Usually to be seen at Brighton Museum and Art Gallery the collection aims to tell a popular history of the British Isles through the pottery found “on the mantlepieces of many cottage homes”.

I have seen the collection in Brighton, donated in 1903,  but not really looked at it in any detail. Here it was shown with pieces Willett had given to the Victoria and Albert Museum and shown under the 23 categories he had defined.

I do love ceramics and was intrigued to see such a wonderful cross section of popular subjects from crime, through celebrity to religion. Highlights included this portrait of Princess Charlotte, a jug commemorating the guillotine and of course a Sussex connection in a jug advertising a builder in Lewes.

Closed 25 September 2024


 

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