Decorative arts

The decorative arts collection has particularly good holdings of 18th-century material reflecting the important role of London in manufacturing and retailing luxury goods at this period.

It includes ceramics, glass, silver, jewellery, enamels, watches and objects of vertu.

The Garton Collection of glass which dates from the late 17th to the early 19th century consists of 437 pieces. The ceramics include porcelain made by Chelsea, Bow and Vauxhall, the Macalaster collection of tea bowls and tea cups and London-made stoneware.

The fine jewellery collection includes groups assembled by such notable collectors as Dame Joan Evans, Baroness D'Erlanger, Lady Cory and Queen Mary. It is particularly rich in sentimental and mourning jewels and good quality costume jewellery including a large collection of chatelaines.

Silver dating from the 18th and 19th centuries includes interesting collections of bottle labels, caddy spoons and novelty pepper pots. Other 19th- and 20th-century material includes an important collection from the Whitefriars Glassworks which was particularly noted for its Arts and Crafts glass, ceramics made by the Martin Brothers, commemorative ceramics and a large collection of stoneware.

Note

Objects are available for individual study by appointment. Please apply to the Department of History Collections on 020 7814 5750.