Past event
Henry Willett's Collection of Popular Pottery
From animal menageries to souvenirs of early balloon flight, the 19th-century philanthropist Henry Willett collected an eccentric array of pottery. Loaned from Brighton Museum, this display showcased more than 300 years of popular British history.
This display is now closed at V&A South Kensington
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Display highlights
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Model of George Wombwell’s Menagerie, about 1830, Staffordshire, England -
Door handles depicting Blanchard and Lunardi’s balloon flights, about 1785, probably England -
Tiles illustrating the history of ceramic production, by Minton & Co, designed by Louis Marc Emmanuel Solon, about 1878, Staffordshire, England -
Flask in the form of a bear holding Napoleon Bonaparte, about 1812, Staffordshire, England -
Figure groups depicting the Tichborne Claimant, by Randolph Caldecott, about 1874, England -
Bust of Benjamin Caunt, by H. Bentley, about 1844, England -
Charger with the arms of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, 1663, London, England -
Plate depicting 'Mirth' and 'Anguish', about 1780, Staffordshire, England -
Jug in the form of a cat, 1672, London, England
Past events
Features
Henry Willett's Collection of Popular Pottery
Header image:
Model of George Wombwell’s Menagerie, about 1830, Staffordshire, England. © Brighton & Hove Museums