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.
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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
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Henry Willett's Collection of Popular Pottery
Header image:
Model of George Wombwell’s Menagerie, about 1830, Staffordshire, England. © Brighton & Hove Museums