Touring exhibition: Owen Jones

Islamic Design, Discovery and Vision

Exhibition available to hire

This exhibition draws upon treasures from the V&A collections to tell the unique story of Owen Jones (1809–1874), a skilled and highly versatile architect and designer whose explorations of Islamic design contributed to the reshaping of 19th-century British design. From rare 19th-century watercolours and architectural drawings to Victorian objects showing the influence of Islamic design, this exhibition reveals how the West looked towards the Islamic world to create a much-needed modern style within design and architecture.

Size: Approx 400m²
Available from 2010

For further information about this exhibition please contact touringexhibitions@vam.ac.uk

The Alhambra Court at the Crystal Palace

The Alhambra Court at the Crystal Palace, P.H. Delamotte, 1854, Albumen print from collodion negative. Museum no. 39:315

Original drawing for the Grammar of Ornament

Owen Jones , Original drawing for the Grammar of Ornament (Moresque No. 5), Pen and bodycolour , 1856, V&A: 1616 ©Victoria and Albert Museum / V&A Images

Measured drawing of the Tower of the Captive

William Harvey , Measured drawing of the Tower of the Captive, Alhambra, Pen, ink, watercolour and gilding, 1915, V&A: E.1274-1963 ©Victoria and Albert Museum / V&A Images

The Clarendon Vase

The Clarendon Vase, Fábrica Platería de Martínez, Madrid, Spain, 1840-41, silver and gold. Museum no. M.28:1-1985

Silk design for Warners

Silk design for Warners, Owen Jones, Spitalfields, London, 1872 (designed), 1874 (woven), Jacquard-woven silk. Museum no. T.94A-1930

Ewer and basin

Ewer and basin, Léon Parvillée, Paris (possibly), about 1870, earthenware with raised slip and enamelled colours. Museum no. C.18&A-1981

Original drawing for The Grammar of Ornament

Original drawing for The Grammar of Ornament, Plate XL, Moresque No.2, Owen Jones, England, 1856. Museum no. 1616

Tile decoration from the Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem

Tile decoration from the Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem, Ernest Richmond, 1874-1924, watercolour. Museum no. E.2023-1924