Decorative Arts

Step into the Decorative Arts gallery and discover the stories behind the objects.

A collection of vases on display in our Decorative Arts gallery

From a 17th-century blood-letting cup once used by doctors to 1970s Modernist tableware made for the University - this gallery highlights the fascinating range of our decorative art collection.

  • From East to West: See how Islamic artistry inspired European ceramics, leading to the vibrant styles of Maiolica and shimmering lustreware.
  • A Tale in Blue and White: Trace the evolution of Britain’s ‘Willow Pattern’ from a deep admiration for Chinese blue-and-white porcelain.

A display in the Decorative Arts gallery

  • Liverpool’s Hidden Legacy: Uncover the often-overlooked story of Liverpool’s thriving ceramics industry, which flourished from the 1700s and left a lasting mark on British craftsmanship.
  • Art and the Slave Trade: Uncover the complex connections between decorative objects made for European tastes and the transatlantic slave trade.

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