Victoria and Albert Museum - Britain 1760-1900

From 1760-90 in Britain there was a revival of Greek and Roman influences on architecture and design. Many call this " neo-classicism". Architects not only designed the outside of buildings. They also designed many interior elements of buildings, including carpets, furniture, door handles, kitchen utensils and vases. The vase collection is extensive in this part of the museum. Here are some Wedgwood vases designed by Josiah Wedgwood.

Here are some vases decorated with Ancient Greek themes.

This elaborate Persian style candle vase (1771) came from a noble's house in London.

There are display cases of dining rooms from 1760-1830. The French influenced the style with silver dinner service and porcelain dishes.

The textile printing industry thrived from the 1760-1840. Furniture and clothing reflected this. Here are material for chair backs and cloth for clothes.

Fancy objects in your home was all the rage. Here is an out of focus music stand from 1810. At least you can see the crescent shape, based on the shape of a Greek leather shield.

Alas styles and tastes change and move in a different direction. The Roccoco style came in vogue the early 19th century.  Chinese and Indian influences crept into architecture and interior design during this time as well. A prime example is the willow pattern on plates (that blue and white depiction of a Chinese legend that you still see on grandma's plates). The Brits developed the design. A Gothic revival started in the late 18th century. It was regarded as a "morally superior style" as it was "British and Christian" and not "foreign and pagan". This Gothic style was seen in the rebuilt Palace of Westminster (parliament building) after it burned down in 1834. New designs were made for the chairs and wallpaper of parliament (from 1847-51).

In 1851 was the Great Exhibition of goods from England and her empire. It was a world fair. Queen Victoria especially liked the new Majolica glazes (of tin) on ceramics. Here is an example on a wine cooler. The queen called it " the Victoria wine cooler". She ordered some for her palace. 

Trade increased between Britain and her colonies in the mid 19th century. Importing and exporting happened more frequently with the aid of rail and steamships. As Japan opened its ports in 1850 to American and European powers, new design ideas crept into Britain. Nature themes and simplicity of form were elements taken from Japanese design. In 1870 a movement called "aestheticism" came and combined Japanese and Greek/Roman elements. 

These rooms are only a few of many interesting ones on design in art.  I leave you with a more contemporary piece that was hanging near a stairwell. I did not make it downstairs to see who it was by. The subject matter (of smashed brass instruments) is curious.

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