Man or Mouse?
When mice invaded Doulton’s Lambeth studio, sculptor George Tinworth didn’t trap them as normal. Instead he watched their antics and visualized them in human situations. As light relief from his monumental religious sculptures, he modeled little salt-glazed stoneware “humoresques” as he called them, which served as paperweights and menu holders.
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
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
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
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.
Wearable Wedgwood
In the late 1950s, Wedgwood made some shoe heels for the H & M Rayne shoe company, suppliers of footwear to HM Queen Elizabeth. They made Her Majesty’s wedding shoes in 1947 and a decade later Edward Rayne came up with the idea of Jasperware high heels. Wedgwood’s in-house magazine
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
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
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
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