Decorative Arts

From a 17th-century blood-letting cup once used by doctors to 1970s Modernist tableware made for the University, step into the Decorative Arts gallery and discover the stories behind the objects.

This gallery highlights the fascinating range of our decorative art collection.

• From east to west - see how Islamic artistry inspired European ceramics, leading to the vibrant styles of Maiolica and shimmering lustreware
• A tale in blue and white - trace the evolution of Britain’s ‘Willow Pattern’ from a deep admiration for Chinese blue-and-white porcelain
• Liverpool’s hidden legacy - uncover the often-overlooked story of Liverpool’s thriving ceramics industry, which flourished from the 1700s and left a lasting mark on British craftsmanship
• Art and the slave trade - uncover the complex connections between decorative objects made for European tastes and the transatlantic slave trade.