Candlemas Day
The festival of Candlemas on February 2nd is a blend of pagan rites, Christian ceremonial, and popular customs. Candlemas Day marks the end of the mid-winter Christmas celebrations and was strikingly portrayed in Wedgwood’s Fairyland Lustre collection by Daisy Makeig Jones. The Candlemas festival is derived from an ancient Roman ceremony
December Highlights
In this issue... Emblems of the Soul... Biophilia – The Buzz... Christmas Waits... Carnival in Venice... Roger Cockram, In his element... Trimming the Tree...
Emblems of the Soul
The butterfly has been a source of wonder and a metaphor for spiritual beliefs since ancient times. It has been a symbol of love, death, rebirth, and transformation in many cultures and religions. In Greek myth Psyche, the goddess of the soul, was depicted with butterfly wings. The butterfly also symbolizes
Biophilia – The Buzz
There’s a buzz about Ardmore at WMODA. Their artist Fiso Radebe demonstrated his painting skills at the November’s WMODA Wednesday. Now some unusual Ardmore pieces are featured in the exhibit Christopher Marley ǀ Biophilia. Marley’s dialogue with art, nature and science is presented in the style of a Cabinet of
Christmas Waits
Christmas Waits were bands of street musicians who formed during the holiday season to play carols around their community in hopes of raising money. The performances were variable and not always appreciated as can be seen in George Tinworth’s Waits Water mouse group at WMODA. From medieval times until the
Carnival in Venice
The largest porcelain work of art ever created by Lladró of Spain was unveiled at the Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts on January 17th. Carnival in Venice is a work of great complexity, almost five feet long and comprising 450 porcelain parts. 35 artists worked over a period of 5
Roger Cockram, In his element
Water is Roger Cockram’s element and ideas for his work in porcelain and stoneware spring from observations that he makes of the sea. He also harnesses the other elements of fire, air and earth to create his striking ceramic art. With his long grey beard, he looks a bit like
Trimming the Tree
Originally, Christmas Trees were decorated with edible delights, such as gingerbread, sweets, and apples, illuminated with candles. In the mid-19th century, a German glassmaker began to produce small hand-blown ornaments in the shape of fruits and nuts. These became popular in England after Queen Victoria’s German husband popularized the Christmas
Carnival & Cabaret
It’s party time at the Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts as we celebrate the art of having fun at our entertaining exhibition Carnival & Cabaret. The flamboyant festivals in Venice, Rio and New Orleans are explored through the eyes of porcelain artists from Europe. The masks of Mardi Gras and other carnivals
The Art of Tea
Elegant china enriches the tea-drinking experience as can be seen at the Art of Tea exhibition at WMODA. Discover how skilled potters have provided the most appropriate tea services to suit all tastes for the last three centuries, from the traditional English ritual of afternoon tea to the Tango tea