Cleopatra
By Louise Irvine Ancient Egypt inspired the Art Deco Day celebration in Florida this year during the World Congress. Not surprisingly, there were many reincarnations of Egyptian pharaohs including Cleopatra and Tutankhamun. The discovery of King Tut’s tomb in 1922 led to an Egyptomania craze during the Art Deco era.
National Volunteers Month
There are lots of funny “three men” jokes including how many it takes to change a lightbulb! However, at WMODA we are very grateful to the three men who have volunteered at the museum throughout our massive moving project. George Hawthorn, Julio “Flipper” Difilippo, and Alain Montour have been stalwart
A Win Win Situation
By Louise Irvine Statuary porcelain became a phenomenal success in the Victorian art world thanks to the popularity of lotteries. The first art unions in Britain were formed in the 1830s to promote the fine arts. Members paid a subscription and participated in an annual lottery to win contemporary works
Maharaja Vase on the Move
By Louise Irvine The world’s largest Doulton vase has been on the move again! Visitors to WMODA in Dania Beach will remember the monumental vase decorated with a profusion of exotic blooms in the reception area. Now, the giant vase has been reassembled in the entrance of the new museum
The Lure of Limited Editions
By Louise Irvine A limited edition work of art is restricted to the number of copies created and Royal Doulton produced some of the earliest ceramic art editions during the 1930s. Discerning collectors who could not afford to buy originals could patronize artists and acquire signed works of art. Limited
Don’t Stop Believin’
The Great WMODA Pack-Up and Move began in earnest in October and now we are excited to be in our new Hollywood home. We have captured some video footage of different stages of the monumental move which can be viewed on our YouTube channel. Dave Rosenthal helped us to record
Wedgwood Library at WMODA
The WMODA research library is being recreated in the Neoclassical style favored by the Adam Brothers for 18th century stately homes in England. Wedgwood reference books donated by the Polikoff family will be arranged alongside Black Basalt library busts, classical figures, vases, urns, and plaques from the WMODA collection. Our
Frani’s Flowers
Thank you to Frani Rothman for donating her gorgeous glass flower arrangement to WMODA. The museum is honored to have received this special gift when Frani downsized her home. The vase and flowers were created by Phil O’Reilly, a Seattle based glass artist who studied and worked with Dale Chihuly.
Art Deco World Congress
April has been designated World Art Deco Month by the International Coalition of Art Deco Societies and Florida is in the spotlight this year as the destination for the 16th World Congress on Art Deco. The program Modernism – Florida’s Hidden Treasures celebrates the state’s rich Art Deco heritage with a
Take a Seat
By Louise Irvine Majolica garden seats were a passion for the late Joan Stacke Graham, co-author of the first major reference book on Victorian Majolica wares. Her Manhattan apartment was a mecca for fellow enthusiasts and her encyclopedic collection was featured in many antiques and design magazines. Joan’s “garden seat