Christopher Dresser

Christopher Dresser (1834 – 1904) was a British designer and design theorist, one of the most important figures in industrial design, who had a great influence on the development of art both in Great Britain and abroad. His name is synonymous with the British Art Nouveau style, which also went into history as the Anglo-Japanese style.

Born in 1834, Christopher Dresser had been passionate about arts and crafts since the very childhood and, at the age of 13, he was enrolled at the Government School of Design, Somerset House, London. Along with design, he studied botany. That became his specialization and later led to his appointment as Professor of Artistic Botany in the Department of Science and Art, South Kensington. He published several articles dedicated to the complementary of botany and arts, with a special focus on botany adapted to art manufacturers. The articles came out in the Art Journal in 1878. A talented researcher and writer, Dresser also published several brilliant books and papers on botany and earned a doctorate degree.

However, it was design that was Dresser’s true calling. He experimented with styles, shapes, and materials, and his pieces included various items, from carpets to pots. A revolutionist in decorative art, he developed both practical and theoretical parts of the art of contemporary design. Dresser happened to work with lots of textures and materials, including wallpapers, textiles, and glass; his works were executed in many techniques, but as for the ones that brought him true fame, it was metalwork, especially silver and electroplate. Among his many partnerships were Dresser & Holme and Linthorpe Art Pottery. Exquisite designs, elaborated by Dresser, were used by several prominent makers, including Elkington & Co and Alessi.

As a part of his academic journey, Dr. Dresser traveled the world, giving lectures on different design topics, and published books on design and ornament, such as "The Art of Decorative Design" (1862), "The Development of Ornamental Art in the International Exhibition" (1862), and "Principles of Design" (1873). Besides, the prominent designer was appointed as an emissary to Japan, since his name became firmly associated with Japanese art.

Splendid designs by Dr. Dresser have always been pure inspiration for both beginner artisans and professional craftsmen. His pieces, especially silver and electroplated, are in especially high demand all over the world. Exhibited in the world’s finest museums, they are rare gems at auctions. Theoretical research and papers by Dr. Dresser have not lost their relevance either.