Exhibitions

The Ceramic Home

NEW Temporary Exhibition August 2025-January 2026

In an era of mass production, mainstream Victorian homes embraced a cluttered and eclectic style, filling every surface with a myriad of decorative objects.

This temporary display showcases how ceramics played a pivotal role in this aesthetic. From decorative tiles and wall hangings to ornate door furniture, ceramics were everywhere. Before the rise of the simpler Arts & Crafts movement, Victorian interiors celebrated historical revivals, blending Gothic, Renaissance, French Neo-classical, and Rococo styles.

As incomes rose in the 19th century, more people accessed middle-class comforts, and department stores offered an expanding array of goods. From the 1870s, householders—particularly women—enthusiastically embraced interior decoration, guided by books and magazines on home management.

Don’t miss this rare chance to explore objects not usually on display, and discover the fascinating details that made a Victorian home truly unique. Come and view the display in the Exhibition Hall before these treasures return to storage!

Door plate designs, Chamberlain & Co., 1840-50
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