Decorative Arts

The Leeds Decorative Arts collections are Designated as being of national and international importance. They are linked to local crafts people past and present, and feature major collections of furniture, ceramics, wallpapers, modern crafts, metalwork, textiles and costume.

This collection is on display mainly in Temple Newsam House and Lotherton.

The English furniture from c.1530 to present is particularly important. Many objects formed part of the original collections at Temple Newsam and Lotherton and the Gascoigne family, or are linked to these collections. The collection as a result is on display mainly at Temple Newsam and Lotherton.

We have amongst the finest collections of British Furniture in the country. The core of the collection dates between c.1550 to 1900, and includes some superb examples of major makers such as Thomas Chippendale the elder and younger, Linnel and Gillows.

Other highlights from the collection include rare and unique items of stoneware, pearlware and earthenwares; outstanding silver pieces such as the Kirkleatham Centrepiece; the archive of Leeds furniture makers the Hummerston Bros and an extensive collection of British modern and contemporary applied arts.

We are also one of only three institutions that actively collect wallpapers in the UK. This includes salvaged items from English houses, an archive of the papers found at Temple Newsam and Lotherton and reproductions of papers from institutions such as the Palace of Westminster.