Exhibition

Evolution of a Royal Vision: The Birth of Meissen Porcelain

San Francisco International Airport museums – Through
September 13, 2010 — http://www.sfoarts.org

Approximately 100 pieces of the Malcolm D. Gutter collection
of Meissen, Chinese and Japanese porcelain are on view in
cases at the San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco,
California.  Not intended to be a comprehensive presentation
of Meissen porcelain, the exhibit is designed to highlight one
professor and Meissen scholar’s collection of special pieces.  
Each piece is highly desirable in and of itself, having been
produced between 1710 and 1750, and has a story associated
with it.  Taken together, however, they comprise a  particularly
special and engaging collection.  The exhibit of the Gutter
collection is especially significant during this, the tercentennial
of the invention and establishment of  Meissen porcelain  
manufacturing near Dresden Germany in 1710.

Porcelain was invented by the Chinese during the Tang Dynasty
(617-906) and was progressively improved to the stunningly
beautiful ware that made its way to Europe in the 14th
century. There it and  the porcelain produced by the Japanese,
who also had the secrets to its manufacture, was highly
appreciated and valued.  Numerous individuals and scientific
organizations tried for decades to duplicate the quality, strength
and beauty of the ware imported from China and Japan – all
without success.  As a result of a cooperative between Freidrich
Bottger, an alchemist and Ehrenfried  Walther von Tschinhaus,
a scientist, Bottger, in 1709 after Tschinhaus’ death, succeeded
in producing the first porcelain of acceptable quality.  With the
establishment of the Meissen factory near Dresden Germany in
1710 a magnificent 300 year run of beautiful and highly durable
ware began and continues today.

Marking Meissen porcelain with the famous crossed swords
marking beginning in 1720 began what is today one of the
oldest and best known trademarks in existence.  Documented
variations in the Meissen crossed sword trademark allow the
approximate dating of the ware carrying the mark.  Not only
did the Meissen factory produce tableware but also figural
ware of exceptional quality such as figural horses, individuals
and chimney garnitures.

There are several excellent books available that discuss and
illustrate Meissen.  They can be found here:

The Book of Meissen (A Schiffer book for collectors)

The following video provides more good information about the topic.

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Annual Red Wing Collectors Society Convention

We recommend the recent book Red Wing Stoneware Encyclopedia

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Hopi Kachina Dolls

The dancers, as stand-ins for the real spiritual beings, play
a very important role in the Pueblo religious ceremonies
which vary to a certain extent from community to community.
Similarly, the carved and painted kachina dolls, that are
created to represent the true kachinas, are presented to
the children of the Pueblo to serve as life instructional devices.

The kachina dolls may represent any of the hundreds of kachinas
in the spectrum of Hopi belief which, in turn, represent historical
events and natural phenomena such as rain, the sun, stars, and
corn as well as a vast array of other topics or concepts.
The history and origins of kachinas are ancient and shrouded in
mystery.  Whether they are an indigenous creation or imported
from another source, such as Mexico, is an open question.
Admittedly, there are striking similarities between kachina
beliefs and those from central Mexico but it is quite likely that
we will never know for sure.

There is an excellent collection of both old and new kachina
dolls in the Heard museum’s holdings in Phoenix, AZ.  The
Barry Goldwater collection of old kachinas is housed there
as are collections assembled by owners of various long time
trading posts.   Additionally, there are exceptional newer
kachinas created by Pueblo Indian artist/carvers.

of years ago is Hopi Kachinas: The Complete Guide to Collecting Kachina Dolls

Also, please enjoy the following video concerning kachinas

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Third Phase Navajo Chief  Blanket

Navajo weavers have an approximately 300 year history of
weaving blankets and, subsequently, rugs.  Because of their
superior quality Navajo wearing and saddle blankets were
highly prized by Mexicans and by early Anglo settlers of the
US West as well as by other Native Americans.  These blankets
had outstanding water and wind resistance, were warm and
lasted for decades in constant use.  These characteristics were
due to the high quality of the materials used in their
construction and the exceptional skill with which they were
woven.  As an example of their desirability, a fine large Navajo
wearing blanket would fetch $50 in gold in 1830.

Especially notable were the so-called Chief’s blankets.  They
are typically oversized and frequently woven side to side rather
than top to bottom.  The advantage of this configuration is
that the blanket can be wrapped distinctively around the
wearer’s body sometimes presenting visual evidence of rank.
Chief’s blankets of the Classic Period have always been highly
sought after.  Chief’s blankets are divided into three primary
styles depending upon where they fell stylistically in the Classic
Period which ranged from the very early 1800s until about 1880.
They are First Phase, Second Phase and Third Phase Chief
blankets. Additionally, there were several subsequent “revivals”
of these styles.

Classic Third Phase Chief’s blankets were woven to include
center diamonds, either stepped or smooth, as well as
lengthwise stripes and partial diamonds.  The designs are
reminiscent of Mexican Saltillo weavings from which it is
thought the design was derived.  In many cases, the true
era in which a blanket of this design was woven can be
determined only by careful examination of the fiber from
which it is constructed.

There are a number of excellent books about the subject
of Navajo weaving.  However, in our opinion, Joe Ben Wheat
stands out as a scholar and anthropologist for his work in
categorizing Navajo textiles. We enthusiastically recommend
the book written by him and published posthumously in 2003.
The link follows:

Blanket Weaving in the Southwest

The following video provides a discussion of a 1940s revival
Third Phase Chief’s blanket.

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Glass Dictionary

The study and appreciation of glass in its various forms has long been a focal point within the antiques community.  People have been fascinated by and valued glass since it was first discovered and used in approximately 3000 BC.

Man has used, studied and improved glass through the intervening thousands of years to modern days. To more fully comprehend the improvements, artistically and functionally, that have taken place it is necessary to read and study information made available in books, publications and museum exhibits. In turn, to understand the information contained in these works it is critical that the terms used in the study of glass be well comprehended.

The Corning Museum of Glass, located in Corning, New York is a world renowned focal point of scholarship and knowledge. To help further the understanding and study of glass in its various forms and uses, the Corning Museum of Glass has developed and published a comprehensive glass dictionary.

It is available in published form and on their web site. We highly recommend that you review its contents and purchase a copy for your library. If you have any interest in glass, antique or otherwise, this dictionary will substantially help your comprehension and understanding of the topic.

You can review the on line copy of the dictionary on the Corning Museum of Glass web site. Its official title is ”Glass: A Pocket Dictionary of Terms Commonly Used to Describe Glass and Glassmaking, Revised Edition”.

A larger and more complete book on the topic of glass is Dictionary of Glass: Materials and Techniques by Charles Bray.  It can be obtained at a good price by clicking on the above blue link.

One of the best books available on the highly popular topic of 20th Century glass is 20th-Century Glass (Collector’s Guides). The book is well worth the investment and can be obtained by clicking the blue link above.

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Sheraton Style Furniture

Popular and in vogue in England, and subsequently in America,
from approximately 1790-1820, Sheraton style furniture is still
very popular today. Developed and promoted by Thomas
Sheraton, this style, characterized by a marked linear simplicity,
rounded legs and almost severe character contrasted sharply
with the preceding more voluptuous Chippendale style.
Sheraton, born in England, was apprenticed to a cabinetmaker
and worked as a journeyman cabinetmaker subsequently
publishing a four volume set of design books called “The
Cabinet Maker’s and Upholsterer’s Drawing Book” in 1791.

Although English in origin, the Sheraton style rather quickly
jumped the Atlantic Ocean to America, where driven by big
city demands for the latest fashion, American furniture makers
and craftsmen adapted the style to American tastes. The
Sheraton style was further developed in America and propelled
to its zenith by highly accomplished cabinetmakers. John and
Thomas Seymour and Samuel McIntire were located in or near
Boston, Massachusetts and its surrounding communities and
Duncan Phyfe’s shop was in New York City. All four individuals
are acknowledged masters of the Sheraton art form and their
work is highly sought after by collectors.

Sheraton style furniture is characterized by its form and by the
woods used in its manufacture. Hardwoods, especially
mahogany, were used in the body of American Sheraton style
pieces and contrasting inlays, typically ash, birch or rosewood
provided the contrasting designs which often included lines,
urns, swags, ribbons and floral motifs. Tables and chairs would
typically have straight round, tapered, legs terminating in
cylindrical, tapered or rectangular feet. The result is an
elegant, light appearance that seems to lift the object off
the surface upon which it sits.

The hardware used to highlight and functionally enhance
American Sheraton style furniture typically consists of relatively
lightweight back plates with pulls, stamped brass lions heads
and other devices. Gone were the heavy prominent winged
brasses that characterized Chippendale style furniture.

An excellent book that provides superb detail about the
identification, characteristics and construction of Sheraton
and other styles of 18th century furniture has been written
by Jeffrey P. Greene. The title of the book is American
Furniture of the 18th Century: History, Technique and Structure
(Hardcover) and is available at an excellent price by clicking on the
blue link. American Furniture of the 18th Century: History, Technique, and Structure

Please take the opportunity to view the following video to learn more.

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Book Review

Native American Clothing: An Illustrated History (Hardcover)
By Theodore Brasser (Author)

In the normal course of collecting and appreciating antiques and historical artifacts we tend not to deeply consider the topic of Native American clothing. Rather, we focus upon other Native American artifacts such as weapons, tools, pottery, baskets and the like. However, upon further reflection, it becomes quite apparent that clothing played a vital role in Native American every day life and culture. Brasser’s book plays an important role in explaining and illuminating that role. Not only was clothing functional but it also provided a canvas for the demonstration of individuals’ artistic skills.

Because climatic conditions varied extensively throughout North America, clothing, of necessity, reflected the climate in which Native Americans lived, worked and hunted. Brasser divided his study of Native American clothing in 12 geographic regions that ranged from the sub-tropical Southeast US to the arctic regions of Canada and moving from East to West and South to North. He further discusses the evolution of clothing design and construction from the era preceding contact with Europeans to when Native Americans became subsumed by them. More than 24 tribes are included in the discussion along with their spiritual beliefs and tribal customs, detailed maps of where they were located, and appropriate historical facts about them.

Native American Clothing: An Illustrated History can be purchased here at an excellent price.

Native American Clothing: An Illustrated History

Please view the video below for more information about Sioux beadwork and decoration on Native American worn clothing.

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