William De Morgan, celebrated for his charming ceramic creations, created this delightful tile design featuring three rabbits frolicking along a branch. Designed between 1872 and 1882 during his Chelsea Period, this enchanting early work by the witty designer embodies the essence of the Arts and Crafts style, marrying nature-inspired motifs with meticulous craftsmanship.
In this watercolour on paper, De Morgan has captured the lively motion of the rabbits as they scamper across the branch, their playful demeanour evoking a sense of joy for the Easter weekend. The design has been pricked with tiny holes along the outlines to allow for it to be ‘pounced’ an ancient transfer method for designs where the artist would rub charcoal through the holes to create a ‘carbon copy’ of the design on the ceramic surface ready to be painted with glaze.
Standing at 15.3cm in both height and width, this tile design was made for the 6″ square tiles De Morgan was well known for. Today the piece is held in the Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Generously given by Evelyn De Morgan to the V&A, this precious artefact serves as a window into the whimsical world of one of England’s most beloved ceramic artists. As we admire the intricate beauty of this bunny tile design, we’re reminded of the timeless allure of nature-inspired art and the enduring legacy of William De Morgan’s creative vision.
