The Bowes Museum was founded by Joséphine and John Bowes and opened to the public in 1892. Even though it looks like a French chateau it was never used as a residence, but was designed and built to showcase the Bowes’ huge collections of paintings, textiles, ceramics, furniture and silverware.
Pet Project responds to the renowned ceramics collection to create a vibrant and interactive experience for all ages.
The ceramics collection comprises over 5000 objects from the 16-19th centuries that represent nearly every known factory of the time. The focus on pets was inspired by a portrait of Joséphine’s dog Bernadine. She and John never had children of their own, so there was a special bond between Joséphine and her pet which was celebrated in a portrait of Bernadine by Antoine Dury. Pets are domesticated animals that have been part of our lives for over 16,000 years and today over 51% of UK households own a pet.
The pet figurines in the collection are small, old, fragile and untouchable and represent the personal tastes of Joséphine and John. Pet Project explodes this premise so that visitors can get physical with these precious objects, and local people’s collecting tastes and personal stories are shared alongside those of the Bowes’. The aim of the exhibition is to open up the history of ceramics to younger generations in bold and hands-on ways.
The starting point has been a Staffordshire Cat from 1825 and a Berlin Dog from 1768. These objects were selected because they’re made in totally different ways completely different markets: the dog is made from high-value porcelain, is skilfully painted in great detail and depicts a King Charles Spaniel destined for the homes of the wealthy elite, whereas the cat is made from earthenware with the glaze applied rapidly and destined for homes of the working classes.
These two objects have been transformed into giant, soft sculptures 18,000 times bigger than the original objects that visitors can can hug, climb and create imaginary play scenes, nurturing personal connections with these larger-than-life shapes as if they were cherished pets or beloved toys. This space challenges conventional notions of preservation and access, engaging with the art in a playful, yet thought-provoking way.
Two of the objects have been painted in the same way as the originals and the remainder will be painted by local schools and community groups throughout the exhibition.
Visitors can also learn more about the history of the cat and dog and the technical aspects of ceramics in a Maker Space as they recreate their own pets in bisque earthenware.
There’s also a display of over 50 ceramic pet figurines from the museum’s own collection, presented alongside treasured pet-related ceramics submitted by members of the public. This space offers an opportunity to explore the historical and cultural contexts of these often-overlooked objects. Visitors can find out more about the factories that produced these ceramics, who the intended buyers were and the political, economic and social conditions that influenced their creation. Through this exploration, visitors will gain insight into the evolving role of pets in society and the ways these objects reflect broader historical trends, drawing parallels with contemporary society.
Pet Project is supported by Art Fund.
Pet Project
26 July 2025 – 1 March 2026
The Bowes Museum
Newgate, Barnard Castle, County Durham DL12 8NP, UK
For more information or to book a workshop go to www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk
With many, many thanks to all the staff and volunteers who made Pet Project possible as well as all the suppliers: Great Bean Bags, Ceramics By Design, CPCeramics and Mud&More.
