A Spellbinding Character

In Museum Month, it is interesting to reflect how the remarkable Wiener museum came about. Back in 1965, Arthur Wiener was a young college graduate and he traveled to London armed with Frommer’s seminal Europe on $5 a day. He blew his daily budget on a Royal Doulton character jug of

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Flappers, Vamps & Divas

During Michael Doulton’s visit to WMODA on March 31st, Louise Irvine gave a presentation on Flappers, Vamps & Divas celebrating all the beautiful women of the Jazz Age who were portrayed by Royal Doulton, Goldsheider, Lenci and other leading porcelain factories. The talk was so well received that Louise will

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Clarice Cliff at work

Women at WMODA

The British ceramics industry has been a major employer of women for centuries. Initially they worked as menial assistants to men but gradually some were recognized as artists and designers. Two of the most famous design divas of the Art Deco era were celebrated in the recent WMODA lecture on

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Wedgwood at WMODA April 2017

WMODA was featured in the Proceedings of the 62nd Annual Wedgwood International Seminar following Louise Irvine’s lecture to the society and their visit to the museum during their Miami Beach conference. One of the museum’s prized Fairyland Lustre pieces stars on the front cover of this annual publication.

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Cabaret Star

The latest addition to our Stage & Screen exhibition is this striking Korean Dancer, which was modeled by Constantin Holzer-Defanti for Rosenthal in 1918. The sculptor was inspired by a postcard of cabaret star Anita Berber, who was famous for her burlesque performances in Weimer Germany.Anita Berber’s career at the

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Cupid is Coming!

As Valentine’s Day approaches on February 14th, we are inundated with cards depicting Cupid, armed with his bow and arrow to find his mark and inspire true love. Less familiar today are the images of Cupid riding on a dolphin that prevailed in classical art. In ancient mythology, Cupid was

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Wiener Museum Ardmore Design Feature

Ardmore Design

Launched in 2010, the Ardmore Design Collection translated the distinctive imagery and playfulness of the ceramics into fabrics and furniture. The success of Ardmore’s limited edition Qalakabusha couch, which means “new beginnings”, was followed by a collaboration with Mavromac on a linen fabric range. Fée’s daughter, Catherine Berning, and a

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Wiener Museum Ardmore

Ardmore Commemorative Ewer

Ardmore Commemorative Ewer Sculpted by Sfiso Mvelase Painted by Elvis Mkhize, 2015 Height: 31 inches Sfiso has added several of his own works to the ewer, including his humorous, erotic teapots which he models with a twinkle in his eye. They raise a smile but also embody satire and subtle

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