Matthew Winterbottom

Matthew Winterbottom is an academic researcher at the University of Oxford serving as Assistant Keeper and Curator of Decorative Arts and Sculpture at the Ashmolean Museum. Supported by Barrie and Deedee Wigmore, his work spans European decorative arts from the late medieval to early 20th centuries, with expertise in metalwork, furniture, ceramics, glass, textiles, and sculpture.

His research focuses on 19th-century design reform (notably William Burges and Christopher Dresser), history of Kunstkammern, and the social history of objects, including their use in food and dining. He is a Co-Investigator for the Chromotope ERC-funded project, leading the 2023–24 exhibition Colour Revolution: Victorian Art, Design and Fashion.

Holding significant responsibilities for the Ashmolean’s Western Art Sculpture and Decorative Arts collections since 2017, he has curated the Michael Wellby Gallery and integrated decorative arts into 19th-century art galleries. His career includes roles at the Victoria & Albert Museum, Royal Collection, and Holburne Museum, where he redesigned collections for public accessibility.