Designer Biography

Owen Jones

Born: 1809

Died: 1874

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Jones trained as an architect under Lewis Vulliamy, but in 1830 he began the extensive travels that were to result in his most important contribution to the advancement of nineteenth century design, the great series of colour illustrated publications that commenced with Plans,  Elevations, Sections and Details of the Alhambra (1836-45) and included the seminal Grammar of Ornament (1856). His Moresque colour scheme for the interior of the 1851 Crystal Palace transformed Paxton's severely utilitarian structure. He was responsible for the Alhambra Court in the transported Crystal Palace whose re-decoration he supervised with Sir Matthew Digby Wyatt at Sydenham (1854), and for the Indian, Chinese and Japanese Courts in the newly erected South Kensington Museum (1863-4). His talents as a decorator exemplified the greatest refinement that the Victorian grand manner could attain; the rooms for Alfred Morrison, shown in Paris in 1867 and Vienna in 1873, gained gold medals for Jackson & Graham, who had provided the consummate craftsmanship demanded by Jones's intricate schemes. Jones designed wallpapers and silks and carpets which were manufactured exclusively for Jackson & Graham. His silk designs were made by Warner & Ramm; wallpapers by Jeffrey & Co., John Trumble and Townsend & Parker; and mosaic floors by Wyatt & Parker and J. M. Blashfield. Jones also designed tile: for Maw & Co. and biscuit packaging for Huntley & Palmer, as well as book covers and playing cards.