toggle site navigation National Museums Liverpool Visit What's On Stories Collections Learn Shop Join & Support What's On Sublime Symmetry On display Sublime Symmetry 01 Oct 2021—09 Jan 2022 De Morgan Ceramics Lady Lever Art Gallery The Exhibition Highlights Stories Events You May Also Like Nearby Venues The Exhibition Famed for richly coloured, lustrous glazed tiles and pottery with birds and dragon decoration, De Morgan’s work is beautiful and iconic. But, behind the fantastical beasts which wrap themselves around De Morgan’s vases and the fanciful flora which meanders across his tiles, there is a rigorously planned mathematical structure. Sublime Symmetry: De Morgan Ceramics uncovers the pattern, shape and symmetry in De Morgan’s designs. This visually stunning exhibition showcases collection of around 70 ceramic objects on loan from The De Morgan Foundation. It includes an exploration of De Morgan’s career and the influence of William Morris on his early work, as well as how Islamic Art and De Morgan’s rediscovery of lustre, a thousand years after it was first used by potters in the Middle East, shaped his art. De Morgan’s unique experiments with glazes once caused a house fire in his rented London home when he used the fireplace as a makeshift kiln. His comprehension of mathematics and ability to manipulate his designs to adhere to precise geometric rules, as well as his understanding of elements and glaze, enabled him to make the sublime symmetrical patterns featured in the exhibition. In 1859 De Morgan was admitted to the Royal Academy Schools and had a classical art training. He met William Morris in 1863 and began designing stained glass for him before setting up his own business in 1872. From 1877 – 1881 he installed Sir Frederic Leighton’s Middle Eastern tiles in the Arab Hall at his home in London, which sparked his interest in these complex geometric designs and inspired his future work. Over the years his interests, abilities and experimentations with pottery developed and he created more figurative and ambitious pieces. If you enjoy this exhibition we’re asking you to pay what you think is appropriate, to support our museums and art galleries. Teacher's resources Educational resources from the exhibition, specifically designed to teach Key Stage 2 maths through ceramic design, are available to download from the De Morgan website: Download teacher's pack (pdf) Where Lady Lever Art Gallery Port Sunlight Village, Wirral, UK, CH62 5EQ Get directions Share: Share via Email Share via Twitter Share via Facebook Share via Pinterest Highlights All images © De Morgan Foundation Scarlet Macaw and Blue Fronted Amazon Parrot Tile Panels Tin glazed earthenware, 1888-1907, Fulham Period Two Handled Vase with Persian Floral Decoration Tin glazed earthenware, 1882-1888 Fan Tile Panel Tin glazed earthenware, 1872-1907 Carnation Rice Dish Tin glazed earthenware, 1872-1904 Bull Vase Tin glazed earthenware, 1872-1907 Bee Plate (front) Lustre earthenware, 1872-1904 Bee Plate (back) Label reads: Said to be one of the first, if not the first plate, made by William De Morgan & given to his Uncle Henry Frend Large Wide Rimmed Bear and Hare Dish Tin glazed earthenware, 1888-1907, Fulham Period Three Daisies and Snakes Plate Ruby lustre glazed earthenware, 1872-1907 Stories Holding history Article 4 min read What inspires our displays at the Lady Lever Art Gallery? Decorative Arts curator Nicola Scott tells us how she has created a new display of pottery f… Read More De Morgan - the ‘Pre-Raphaelite Potter’ Article 5 min read Victorian artist William De Morgan is celebrated for his wonderful lustre-decorated pottery and superb tiles. However did you know that ceramics were … Read More Exploring Arabic design Article 6 min read William De Morgan was influenced by Arab design in the patterns and techniques used for his ceramics. Laura Marie Brown takes a look at the origins of… Read More The formula for stunning design Article 5 min read William De Morgan’s captivating pottery and glazed tiles feel beautifully organic to the naked eye. However, these iconic designs are underpinned by s… Read More Events De Morgan curator talk 11 Nov 2021 Find out more about the Sublime Symmetry exhibition Lady Lever Art Gallery Exploring Al-Idrisi - map making workshop Cancelled Liverpool Arab Arts Festival event with Jessica El Mal Lady Lever Art Gallery Shop A range of books, stationery, accessories and homewares inspired by the works of William De Morgan is available from our shop. 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