The most significant and creative designer of the late nineteenth century, Dresser was fascinated by non-European cultures, both ancient and contemporary. His extraordinary designs were sufficiently versatile to be produced in metalwork, glass, and ceramics; Ancient American bridge-handled vessels from Peru inspired this sea-urchin form. The Linthorpe pottery, founded by Dresser in part to alleviate local unemployment, became renowned for its production of art pottery and specialist glazes.

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