We are delighted to present highlights from The Michael Blood Collection at our Connaught Street branch in London. The collection has been brought together over the course of nearly sixty years and offers a rich and varied overview of tile production from the mid-19th to the early 20th century. It reflects some of the most important stylistic movements of the period, including the Gothic Revival, the Aesthetic Movement, and the Arts and Crafts movement.
What makes this collection especially distinctive is not just the quality and variety of the tiles, but the way they were displayed. Housed in a beautiful Arts and Crafts home in the East Midlands, most of the tiles were professionally framed and thoughtfully arranged as part of a cohesive interior design scheme. Each piece was carefully positioned to play a part in a broader decorative vision. The collection features work by many of the most influential names in Victorian and Edwardian tile design - manufacturers such as Minton, Maw & Co. and Doulton, alongside renowned designers like William De Morgan, Walter Crane and Henry Stacy Marks. Their work reflects the creativity, craftsmanship, and artistic ambition that defined the decorative arts of the time.
The collection and its setting offer a vibrant glimpse into the decorative spirit of the 19th century and reflect Michael Blood’s deep enthusiasm for this collecting field. This sale is not only a rare opportunity to acquire remarkable works of tile art, but is also a celebration of the enduring charm and legacy of Victorian and Arts and Crafts design.
