Home What’s On Events De Morgan’s decorative designs: Leighton House and V&A

De Morgan’s decorative designs: Leighton House and V&A

12 November 2026 at 10:30 am until 4:00 pm

• Wheelchair accessible

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In anticipation of our major exhibition of William De Morgan and his Fantastical Creatures opening in January 2027, join us in London for a day of decorative discovery. 

We will start at the V&A Drawings Room to see some of De Morgan’s creature designs up close led by curator of the exhibition, Hannah N Mills. Following lunch, we will travel to Leighton House for a guided tour. Frederic Leighton commissioned De Morgan to install the tiles on the remarkable Arab Hall, and create additional turquoise tiles for the Staircase Hall to complete the scheme. It was during his work with Leighton’s own collection of late 16th and early 17th century Damascene tiles that he first became interested in the cool blue palettes and ornamental foliage of Islamic art, which would become part of his signature style.

If you’d like to find out more about becoming a Patron, and be able to attend exclusive events like this, please visit the Become a Patron’ page here or email us at development@holburne.org – we would be delighted to discuss how a membership plan can work for you.

Image credit - The Arab Hall at Leighton House, looking through to the staircase hall beyond. Image courtesy Leighton House.