William de Morgan Tile Series

William De Morgan tiles form the historical and decorative foundation of this collection, which celebrates one of the nineteenth century's most innovative ceramic designers and a leading figure in the Arts and Crafts Movement alongside his friend William Morris. Born in 1839, De Morgan studied fine art before turning to stained glass and ceramics. In 1872 he established a pottery in Chelsea and began sustained experiments with glazes, colour and kiln firing. Persian, Islamic and Hispano-Moresque ceramics informed his palette of turquoise, green, blue and metallic ruby lustre, while birds, fish, mythical beasts and curling foliage gave his designs their unmistakable character.

 

William De Morgan tiles and Arts and Crafts design

De Morgan treated the tile as both a repeating surface and a miniature work of decorative art. His motifs could stand alone, form rhythmic groups or become panels for fireplaces and richly detailed interior walls. De Ferranti's Ruby Lustre Animal Tiles reproduce selected decorative animal designs in a reflective red lustre, with stylised botanical ornament surrounding the figures.

His work belongs to a wider conversation between British Arts and Crafts design and earlier ceramic traditions. Explore Reduction Lustre Glazed Tiles, where metallic glaze and reduction firing are central, and Medieval Heraldic & Bestiary Tiles, whose symbolic creatures connect with the visual sources that informed many nineteenth-century designers. The William Nicholson Tile Collection offers a complementary English artist-led approach to narrative and graphic tile design.

 

Specifying lustre and decorative tilework

William De Morgan tiles are suited to considered interior features where pattern can be read at close range. Fireplace surrounds, splashbacks, niches, bathroom walls and framed panels allow individual motifs to remain legible. Samples should be reviewed in the intended light because lustre colour changes with viewing angle. Grout tone, border treatment and the balance between decorated and plain tiles should be agreed before installation.

 

Project Guidance and Enquiries

For project guidance, availability, pricing, samples or further information, please contact us. Your enquiry will come directly to De Ferranti, and we will be pleased to discuss suitability, quantities, lead times and options for your project.