A historic work of art by renowned Victorian designer William Burges has been snapped up at auction by bosses at the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery.

The 30-piece tile panel by the Gothic revival designer is dated circa 1880, cost the gallery £25,000 and consists of the 12 signs of the
zodiac with 18 border tiles of other designs.

The panel is one of only three complete sets of its kind known to exist, and will join one of the largest collections of work by Burges, and relating to him, outside London and Cardiff.

Victoria Partridge, keeper of fine and decorative art at the gallery, said: "It is a real coup. The tiles are so beautiful and the zodiac is something everyone can identify with.

"Burges did the same design in Castell Coch in Cardiff, he was interested in astrology and the design is just very him.

"It is our star item because the tiles are in such great condition with hardly any chips."

Burges, who died in 1881 aged 53, was an architect and designer who counted among his patrons the Marquis of Bute, for whom he redesigned Cardiff Castle and built Castell Coch.

Successfully bid for at Sotheby's auction house in London, Cecil Higgins Art Gallery was able to buy the new artwork with a £10,000 grant from the Museums, Libraries and Archivers Council', £8,750 from The Art Fund, the UK's leading independent art charity, and £6,250 from its own trustees.

Sonia Solicari, from the Victoria and Albert Museum, said: "The Cecil Higgins is the perfect collection with which to house this panel as it will enrich the already impressive holdings by Burges."

The gallery's collection includes Burges' own bed, dressing table and the 'Narcissus' washstand as well as a wardrobe and a zodiac themed bookcase.

Smaller items include one of the tulip vases made for Cardiff Castle as well as a set of cutlery and a decanter designed and made for his own use.

The gallery is planning a major refurbishment which will include the transformation of a unique hexagonal building from the 1800s into a stunning new Burges exhibition, decorated in an authentic recreation of his style.

The new space will also house pieces by other Gothic revival architects and designers, including tiles by Henry Holiday and AWN Pugin.

For more, visit www.cecilhigginsart
gallery.org