Decorative Art

Ceramics
Preston solicitor, Cedric Houghton, left his fine collection of around 400 items of pottery and porcelain to the Harris in 1910. His expressed wish was that his personal collection formed the basis of a larger museum collection, and this has been the case. The museum now has almost 2,400 ceramics, most of which are British but there are sizeable groups of Chinese, Japanese and Continental wares. The Ceramics Gallery shows the development of English ceramics from 17th century slip-ware to studio pottery of the mid-20th century. Alongside well-known names like Minton, Derby, Wedgwood and Doulton are commemorative ceramics for the Preston Guild and Royal occasions. There is also a case of ancient Greek pottery. Other significant collections are the Smith Collection of English Porcelain, the Bradshaw Collection of English Coffee Cups and the Millington Tile Collection. (N.B. Specific collections are not displayed in their entirety).

Cedric Houghton Information Sheet

Glass
The museum has an excellent glass collection with about 750 items, almost exclusively British in origin. The collection is dominated by two large personal collections which can be seen in the Glass Gallery. The first is the Dr Taylor Collection, a significant selection of 18th and 19th century drinking glasses which include engraved examples and a variety of ornate stems. The second is the vibrant Mrs Seddon Collection of English Coloured Glass, which is mostly Victorian and includes tableware such as bowls, jugs and glasses. There is also a selection of commemorative glass, which includes Jacobite drinking glasses, and a charming display of ‘friggers’ (novelty items including miniature ships). The intriguing collection of green glass ‘dumps’ or door stops on show is part of the Mrs French Collection and a selection from her famous scent bottle collection can be seen on the second floor. The museum also has a beautiful stained-glass window by Henry Holiday in the Story of Preston gallery.


Enamels
The collection of enamels is small (53 items) but of a high quality. They date mainly from the 18th and early 19th century and many are of English origin.  There is also a Limoges enamel plaque, some Oriental cloisonné pieces, two examples of late 19th century art enamel in the champleve technique and a few early 20th century French enamels.


Mrs French Scent Bottle Collection
The largest scent bottle collection in Britain, and one of the most important in the world, can be found at the Harris. The bottles, made from ceramic, glass, silver and other materials, date from the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. The museum has other collections of note donated by Mrs French which include a collection of visiting card cases, a collection of stone eggs, mineral specimens and decorative objects made from stone and a comprehensive collection of mother of pearl gaming counters.  These collections are viewed by appointment only.  There is also a regular tour of the perfume bottle collection.

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