Unseen pattern book to be unveiled at DresserFest

A rare book of ceramic designs will be exclusively revealed during a three day festival celebrating the life and work of the eminent Victorian designer Christopher Dresser in Middlesbrough this summer.

The revelation follows the Dorman Museum’s acquisition of a ‘pattern book’ for Ault Pottery which contains several hundred hand-drawn designs, believed to be from the 1890s.

About 40 drawings are known to be copies of designs done by Dr Christopher Dresser for Linthorpe Pottery, which went into liquidation in 1890. The moulds from Linthorpe Pottery were sold off, including a quantity to Ault Pottery, which began to reproduce these shapes in its factory.

In addition to the 40 Dresser designs there are a significant quantity of drawings which appear to be in Dresser’s style, begging the question - what work did Dresser carry out for Ault and what light does this shed on his relationship with Linthorpe?

It also suggests it may now be possible to attribute certain designs to Dresser, which have been previously unconfirmed.

DresserFest, organised by the Christopher Dresser Society, Teesside University and the Dorman Museum, is a series of events, including exhibitions, gallery tours, lectures and workshops, taking place from 2 to 4 July.

Paul Denison, Principal Lecturer in Teesside University’s School of Arts & Media and Chair of the Christopher Dresser Society, said: 'This pattern book for Ault really takes research on Dresser in a new direction. It raises the possibility that his body of work is more extensive than is currently known and that items previously not attributed to him, can now be confirmed.

'The fact that this item which relates to Dresser’s work is held by the Dorman Museum, signals the important work that is being done locally to document him and to raise his profile.'

An internationally important collection of Dresser’s work for key Victorian manufacturers is housed in the Dorman Museum’s Christopher Dresser Gallery, which opened in 2014. Teesside University and the Dorman Museum set up the Christopher Dresser Society to promote research and scholarships around the work of the first and greatest commercial designer of the Victorian age.

Christopher Dresser is amongst the most influential designers of the modern period and stands proudly alongside William Morris and Charles Rennie Mackintosh in terms of how he changed the visual landscape of Britain. His most prolific work was in textiles, carpets, ceramics and wallpaper, but he is much admired and probably best known today for his metal wares, including claret jugs, tea services, serving dishes, toast racks, candlesticks and cruet sets.

The three day DresserFest will see events, lectures, tours and exhibitions at the Dorman Museum, mima and the University’s Constantine Gallery. It aims to bring the work of Christopher Dresser to a much larger audience.

Highlights of the Festival include behind the scenes tours at the Dorman Museum, Dresser-themed talks at mima, an international line-up of guest speakers for a Day-Symposium at Teesside University and a family fun day with a whole host of activities. There will also be a chance to purchase original Dresser artefacts.

And, there will be the chance to be among the first people to see the newly revealed Christopher Dresser designs which will go on to be housed permanently at the Dorman Museum after the DresserFest.

Paul said: 'All of the events and exhibitions are free and it is going to be a fantastic way to extend the dialogue about Dresser’s influence.

'We are delighted to have confirmed four international speakers from North America which signals the wide reach of Dresser’s appeal.'

Gill Moore, Curator at the Dorman Museum, added: 'DresserFest promises to be an exciting celebration of the life and work of one of Britain’s most influential designers. Whether you’re a Dresser expert or discovering him for the first time we can guarantee that you won’t be disappointed.'

School of Arts & Media factfile Teesside is the only University in the Tees Valley offering art and design courses – everything from traditional pathways to new and innovative programmes in indie games, fashion and textiles.

All courses are based on the town centre campus where there has recently been £250m investment and international art gallery mima is now part of the University.

Graduates have gone on to top positions in companies such as Aston Martin, Philips, F1, Dreamworks and Marvel Comics. Contemporary partners include Dance City and Hyper Island.

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Find out more about the DresserFest and how to become a member of the Christopher Dresser Society