The Quarterly Publication of the International Society

Majolica Matters www.MajolicaSociety.com March 2013

Inside this issue:

• Chicago 2013 Convention Highlights!

• Headquarters Hotel • International Antiques Fair Schedule • Christie’s NY, Opulent Eye Auction • Visit: American Toby Jug Museum • PBS TV, “Market Warrior”, Bob Richter • BARD -Joan Graham Lecture - May 7 • Finding Mimi • Randi Schwartz’s Raven & Dove Shop

Chicago 2013 - Convention Highlights

Majolica Heaven 2013 Dealers, Thursday 3 pm Corinne Agesilas - Dallas, Texas Lisa Gaffney - Sharon, Connecticut Phillipe Meunier & Jean Defrocourt - Paris, France Carmen Pattinson - Yorkshire, England David Tulk, Madelena Antiques - North Frambridge, England Charles Washburne - Solebury, PA • Frances Rothschild Hosts WS Brunch

International Antiques Fair Schedule: • A Few RARE PIECES of French Thursday, April 25 • Opening Night Access • 7:30–10 pm Majolica Friday, April 26 • 11 am–7 pm • Trenton Symposium, April Saturday, April 27 • 11 am–7 pm 13, 2013

Sunday, April 28 • 11 am–6 pm Monday, April 29 • 11 am–3 pm

Collections Themes – Breakfast 7:45a.m. – 9:45a.m Member Slides and Keys to their Collections

Majolica Forum, Saturday 1 pm: Majolica expert and author Joan Stacke Graham will preside over a panel of the world's finest majolica dealers in discussing special pieces the dealers have brought to the Fair. • Brownawell Family in France

Gala Dinner, Saturday 8:15 pm: • Appraisal: Jones Game-Pie Dish – PBS Keynote Speaker Stuart Slavid • Fern Fever, Fern Stand - Follow-up

Chicago 2013 Convention Highlights! Headquarters Hotel

The MIS 2013 Convention Schedule and Registration Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza Blank is enclosed with this newsletter. Please complete 350 West Mart Center Drive the Registration Form and mail it in as soon as possible. Chicago, IL 60654 Our convention will be held in conjunction with the famed Chicago Merchandise Mart International Telephone: 312.361.0648 Antiques Fair. MIS 2013 Convention registration Special Rate Mention: Majolica International Society includes a full multi day entry to the Antiques Fair and more! International Antiques Fair Schedule

Dealer Exhibits include: 20th Century Design, Americana, Architectural Design, Asian Art & Antiquities, Barometers, Books, Ceramics, Clocks, Decorative Arts, Folk Art, Furniture, Glass, Jewelry, Maps, Modernism, Paintings, Posters, Prints, Sculpture, Silver, Textiles, Tribal Art.

A number of compelling special events and features will complement The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair experience.

Thursday, April 25 • Opening Night Access • 8–10 pm Friday, April 26 • 11 am–7 pm Saturday, April 27 • 11 am–7 pm THURSDAY Sunday, April 28 • 11 am–6 pm Convention Registration Monday, April 29 • 11 am–3 pm Majolica Heaven Pavilion Preview Party Merchandise Mart Preview Party and Antique Fair

FRIDAY Christie’s NY, The Opulent Eye Auction

Breakfast At Christie’s NY, this spring (April 18, SALE 2695), Member Presentations they are introducing a fresh catalogue format titled The Tour Art Institute Opulent Eye. The calendar link below guides you to the Bus with box lunch catalogue which has a wonderful selection of garden Visit Raven and Dove Antiques and Gift Shop furniture and features an example of Minton majolica 2pm-3pm- Toby Museum Tour (Lot 201). A pair of Minton Majolica Game Plaques 4:00 pm- Arrive back at Hotel signed “PC” for DINNER AND EVENING ON YOUR OWN French animal SATURDAY sculptor Paul Breakfast Comoléra. Member Presentations Bus leaves for Driehaus Museum In addition to a Driehaus Museum Tour wide variety of LUNCH ON YOUR OWN ceramics “Majolica Forum” at Merchandise Mart arranged by Bus to Surprise Home visit style throughout the auction, there is also a wonderful Surprise Home visit selection of Minton ceramics in the Exoticism section, Bus to “Clare Building” reception hosted by David and please see (Lots 138-174). Donna Reis Cocktail Reception at Clare Building http://www.christies.com/calendar/ Bus to hotel Gala Dinner Additionally, please know that Christie’s NY currently Keynote Speaker: Stuart Slavid plans to feature a top selection of majolica in the November 2013 issue of Opulent Eye. SUNDAY Annual Meeting and Breakfast Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair

MAJOLICA MATTERS Page 2 March 2013 Visit: American Toby Jug Museum as Majolica, pieces still make an interesting By Steve Mullins collection.

Animal Jugs illustrated by Sarreguemines as a ram or horse are illustrated with surprising realism

MAJOLICA refers to pieces made from soft, porous clay, fired to a stage, and covered with a tin or lead glaze before re-firing. The heyday of French majolica production was during the Art Nouveau period of roughly 1880-1910, after which garishness of all things began to give way to 20th Century Modernism. The cabinets feature perhaps 90% of all American Toby Jug Museum Majolica pitchers produced by English and Portuguese

manufacturers, as well as a collection of generally un- The American Toby Jug Museum features an 8,000 jug attributed French jugs. Curiously, although England collection. It includes perhaps the largest collection in excelled in the general production of Majolica, that the World of Majolica Figural Pitchers (more than 400 country’s production of Majolica figural jugs was quite pieces). This will be MIS members principal reason for limited. our visit, but once there owner, MIS member Stephen

M. Mullins thinks we will be intrigued with the other The six cabinets in the alcove feature pitchers produced 7,500 jugs in his Museum’s collection. by the most well-known French Majolica

Imagine, have you ever seen 400+, 19th Century, manufacturers. We know of no other collection in the majolica Jugs in one place at the same time? It will be a world that features the number and quality of this feast of the antique jug collectors among us! collection. The most prolific and well known among these is Sarreguemines, located in the Alsace region between France and Germany. Other potteries featured include the full productions from Onnaing, Orchies, Nimy-les-Mons, Desvres, Fives-Lille, St. Clement and Malicorne. In addition to the renditions of political and other well-known personages, the French excelled in the production of droll, imaginative and humorous characters, often based on well-known French songs, stories or myths. This collection of figural Majolica pitchers has been acclaimed by French majolica expert Bertrand Cocq, as one of the, and perhaps the finest and most complete collections in the world.

Note that the labels under each pitcher are the names in French given to the characters, either by the factory or Various jug models of boxer dogs are credited to by collectors over the years, with the English Georges Dreyfus translation beneath. Descriptive information of the character is added where appropriate. The cabinets feature a representative collection of French Faience pitchers. FAIENCE, generally We hope your visit will be a treat for you and for our considered the predecessor to Majolica, consists of finer entire staff. clay with tin-oxide glaze, followed by a clear over- Visit: www.tobyjugmuseum.com glaze. Not considered as much in demand or collectible

MAJOLICA MATTERS Page 3 March 2013 PBS TV, “Market Warrior”, Bob Richter In our home, we always know where to find the match By Duane Matthes sticks and toothpicks. The match sticks are always in Wanda’s cocky little unattributed Rooster.

Richter at home, photographed by Ethan David Kent

His home base: New York, New York, and his day job This dog striker functions as a toothpick holder is Interior Designer. Our toothpicks reside in another cute dog and barrel He also serves as a PBV TV “Market Warrior”. striker. He has some nicks and chips but that never diminishes our love for him or his ability to function I ran across his name and his thinking in the current properly! I’m sure he had those nicks when we issue of Heritage’s Intelligent Collector Magazine – brought him home, there is no animal abuse going on Spring 2013. In the article “Buy it. Love it. Share it.” By in this house! However, we have had accidents along Hector Cantú. I found several quotes from Richter that the way and shattered a majolica treasure or two. we could almost all agree with.. But back to Richter and his ideas about collecting... “My collecting philosophy”, Richter says, “is if you live with things from the past you should be using them Designer Bob Richter employs his tongue-in-cheek today. My joy in collecting objects is living with them, motto: “More Is More.” Bob’s top tip for a newcomer to sharing them. Absolutely! Every year, a few of my flea markets is, “Buy what you love, live with what you Christmas ornaments break, but I’d be much sorrier if love!” “I believe I'm curating beautiful and interesting they were in a storage facility unused for 50 years.” things and caring for them so they can continue to bring joy to future generations of passionate collectors." These are our collector habits…Our vases hold flowers, both cut and silk. Our garden seats are sat upon or “Buy what you love. At the end of the day, if it makes used as tables. Our platters server appetizers and our you happy and it enriches your home, then it's all good. majolica berry servers serve berries and cream. Our Live with what you love!” nut dishes are used to serve nuts and sometimes even candy.

One of our early purchases… this large Etruscan punch bowl, servers as a vase to hold live plants and cut flowers for the coffee table decoration on St. Patrick’s Day. Wanda used an insulated coffee cup for the cut flowers and plastic zip lock bags for the The rooster striker holds our matches handy but we live plants and to protect the interior of the piece. never dirty it by using the striker function.

MAJOLICA MATTERS Page 4 March 2013 BARD -Joan Stacke Graham Lecture - May 7 Randi Schwartz’s Raven and Dove Shop By Phil English Announcing the 2nd Joan Stacke Graham Lecture event Here is a quick glimpse of what member Randi as part of BARD’s Academic Programs, Seminar Series. Schwartz has in store to delight us while our Majolica—A Response to Fashion convention outing brings us to her wonderful “Raven Gaye Blake-Roberts, Director, Wedgwood Museum and Dove” Antique and Gift shop! Raven and Dove is a Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2013 unique gift shop featuring jewelry, perfume, antique Tim: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm majolica, music boxes, leather wallets, and candles." Place: 38 West 86th Street Located at 1143 Greenleaf Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091 212.501.3019, [email protected] Phone: 847-251-9550 Description: [email protected] Gaye Blake-Roberts will be delivering The Joan Stacke Graham Lecture on Tuesday, May 7, 2013. Her talk is entitled “Wedgwood Majolica—A Response to Fashion.”

Light refreshments will be served at 5:45 pm. The presentation will begin at 6:00 pm.

RSVP is required. Please contact: [email protected]

PLEASE NOTE that our Lecture Hall can only accommodate a limited number of people, so please come early if you would like to have a seat in the main room. Registrants who arrive late will be seated in an overflow viewing area.

Finding Mimi By Duane Matthes

Majolica Society member, dealer and prior Majolica Heaven dealer Mimi Kersun, is closing her shop and moving. Mimi had a beautiful shop on San Marco Blvd, Jacksonville, Florida. She specialized in Victorian majolica and Rave and Dove display cabinet offered a large inventory of majolica and porcelain oyster plates and transfer ware in all colors.

She now has cases at Avonlea Gallery, 8101 Philips Highway, Jacksonville, FL 32256. Avonlea Antique Mall is the largest antique mall in Northern Florida, home to over 200 of the finest dealer shops in the Southeast all under one roof. The gallery is a 40,000 square foot showroom of affordable antique furniture, jewelry, ceramics, glassware, linens, artwork, memorabilia, and collectibles from all over the world.

If you’re going to be in Jacksonville Rave and Dove butter pat shelve and more contact Mimi at: [email protected]

MAJOLICA MATTERS Page 5 March 2013 Frances Rothschild Hosts Western States Brunch by Maryanne Leckie

What an outstanding brunch eleven members of the Western States Region enjoyed on February 2, 2013! The fifth Western States Regional get together was held at the elegant and lovely home of Judge Fran Rothschild in Bel-Air. Everyone enjoyed the delicious food, beautifully presented and the interesting conversation. The time together gave us the opportunity to share our passion for collecting in an air Fran Rothschild with Mike & Linda Foley at the of conviviality. Kitchen cabinet with French pitchers and Pinheiro boar tureen Western States members appreciated all the time and energy Fran put into making this event such a success. She is a gracious hostess and made us feel very welcome. The tour she led of her beautiful home was a highlight of the day for one and all. We enjoyed her extensive and well researched majolica collections and the information she shared about her favorite pieces.

Frieda Baskin, Sue Furchtenicht, John Lyddon and Elaine Warren. Kitchen wall with Wedgwood and Holdcroft salmon platters.

Mike & Linda Foley, Marti Marx, Fran Rothschild, Sue Furchtenicht, Elaine Warren, Judy Taback, John Lyddon, Maryanne Leckie, Delorise Miller

George Jones umbrella stand Menton monumental rustic vase with oranges

MAJOLICA MATTERS Page 6 March 2013 Maryanne Leckie, Marti Marx and Delorise Miller Wedgwood bowls are used for the brunch table Kitchen wall with Mafra Palissy platter centerpieces

Minton Jardinière designed by Prof. Gottfried Semper

Fran’s dining room displays part of her majolica plate collection on the walls

Fran’s entry is decorated with a pair of Minton Oak and Acorn Jardinières

The members of the Western States Region who attended the brunch are looking forward to getting together again in Chicago at the 24th MIS Convention April 25th - 28th at the Holiday Inn, Chicago Mart Plaza. We are eager to see members who were unable to attend our regional brunch and meet members from other regions.

Convention registration forms and further information are at: www.majolicasociety.com/2013convention.htm

Maryanne Leckie, Vice President, Membership

Longchamp jardinière with snake and flowers

MAJOLICA MATTERS Page 7 March 2013 A Few RARE PIECES of French Majolica In 1877, he acquired, with Théodore Deck, a first By Philippe MEUNIER experience of the work of the and participated in the competition of Sèvres in 1882.

He designed the patterns of the Faïencerie and in 1889 he became artistic director of the Choisy-le-Roi factory. He was also the sculptor of the Equestrian monument to General Manuel Belgrano, located at Plaza de Mayo, in front of the Casa Rosada.

Original drawing from the Choisy le Roi catalogue By Louis-Robert Carrier-Belleuse (1848-1913)

Choisy le Roi Rooster signed Paul Comoléra Height 27 inches (circa 1880)

Choisy le Roi Hen (two views) signed Louis-Robert Carrier-Belleuse Size 22 ¼ x 14 inches (circa 1880)

Louis-Robert Carrier-Belleuse (1848, July 4th - 1913, June 4th) was a French painter and sculptor. He was son and pupil of Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse. Attended the School of Fine Arts where he followed the lessons of Gustave Boulanger and Alexandre Cabanel. He received a prize in the show 1881 as painter and another one in the show 1889 as sculptor. He worked with his father at the Choisy le Roi ‘’Houdan’’ Hen signed Paul Comoléra Factory of Sèvres, where he was the Art director in 1875. Height 25 ½ inches (circa 1880)

MAJOLICA MATTERS Page 8 March 2013 mountainous areas of western China but feral populations have been established in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. The fully articulated back of the group indicates that the work was intended to be seen from all sides. The contours fit snugly into a cohesive pattern of lines. Carrier-Belleuse was an acknowledged master of lavish renderings, so, using an abundance of tactile detail, he finished this ‘’majolica Chinese Pheasant’’ with opulent naturalism. These details gratified the taste of the Second Empire. They convey the narrative circumstances of the scene while adding interest to the overall composition and enriching the surface articulation.

Choisy le Roi Chinese Pheasant signed Louis Carrier-Belleuse (1848-1913) Height 24 ½ inches (Circa 1880)

Choisy le Roi Chinese Pheasant (view 3)

Choisy le Roi Chinese Pheasant (view 2)

Late 19th century, an exceptional and extremely rare Delphin Massier Bull majolica Chinese Pheasant signed Louis-Robert Carrier- Size 18 ¾ x 12 ½ inches (circa 1880) Belleuse, outstanding color and detail. The Golden Pheasant or “Chinese Pheasant” is native to forests in

MAJOLICA MATTERS Page 9 March 2013 in Majolica Matters, March 2006. The article, including photos, is available on our MIS web site. I added a smattering of information on the Massier family. Perhaps we can commission Philippe and Jean to write a similar article on the French majolica dynasty, the Massiers, at some future date.

Wanda

“Evolution of Choisy-le-Roi Manufactory with Hippolyte Boulenger” by Philippe Meunier and Jean Alonso Defrocourt

The company was created in 1804 by the brothers Paillard. At this time they began to produce bone china according to English techniques. In 1820, the brothers Delphin Massier Bull (view 2) Paillard were joined with Hippolyte Hautin. In 1836, after the death of the last Paillard brother, Hippolyte Hautin joined with his son-in-law, Louis Boulenger, to become “Hautin & Boulenger Manufacture de porcelaine opaque“. In 1866, supervised by his son Hippolyte Boulenger, this company produced majolica of very high quality, covered with brilliant colored glazes. The factory created the left gate of the palace of Fine Art of the Exposition universelle of Paris in 1878. That same year, the business name became Hippolyte Boulenger & Cie faïence de Choisy-le-Roi.

Hippolyte Boulenger commissioned great sculptors to conceive the forms: Louis-Robert Carrier-Belleuse (1848- Delphin Massier Duck Family with ducklings. 1913), who became the manufacture artistic director and 22 height x 18 inches wide the famous Paul Comoléra (1813-1890), sculptor of animals and birds. In 1889 Hippolyte Boulenger opened his store at 18 rue de Paradis in Paris. The building, built by the architect Jacottin, was completely decorated with panels of earthenware stone floors which form a sort of catalogue of their production and constitute an excellent testimony of the know-how of this factory and the quality of its realizations Arnoux, who directed the workshop of decoration of the earthenware factory of Choisy-le-Roi, distinguished himself by his research on the creating of enamels.

Vallauris, home of Massier Family From 1860, brothers, Delphin Massier, (1836-1907) and Clement Massier, (1844-1917), along with cousin Jean- Baptiste (1850-1916, who signed his works ”Jerome Massier fils”, headed of this famed Massier family business. They produced vibrantly colored majolica, inspired by the flowers, birds, etc. of the Cote d’Azur. The business began with Pierre Massier (1707- 1748) followed by Jacques Massier (1820-1909), father of Delphin and Clement, and Jerome Massier, father of Jean- Baptiste ”Jerome Massier fils”.

Delphin Massier Duck Family with ducklings.

Detail of ducklings and drinking pond.

After reading Philippe’s article on rare French pieces, I felt that you might enjoy rereading the article below which was printed

MAJOLICA MATTERS Page 10 March 2013 Trenton Ceramics Symposium, April 13, 2013 Brownawell Family in France by Duane Matthes by Carolyn Brownawell

The Potteries of Trenton Society (POTS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and preservation of Trenton's ceramic past.

POTS in partnership with the New Jersey State Museum and the Trenton Museum Society is presenting the 2013 Trenton Ceramics Symposium. This year's Trenton ceramics symposium will explore the nature and potential of the Trenton Potteries Database.

The Symposium is scheduled for Saturday, April 13, in the Auditorium of the New Jersey State Museum on West State Street, Trenton. The keynote speaker William Gates, co-author of the East Liverpool, Ohio, Vauclair’s shop at the Marche aux Puces St-Ouen de Pottery District; Identification of Manufacture Marks Clignancourt (1982). The Brownawell family (Carolyn, Mark & Max) visited Trenton, NJ was the home of Mayer’s “Arsenal Pottery” Paris over the holidays. We were especially thrilled that produced some really fun unmarked American and pleased to have the opportunity to visit Laurence majolica. Vauclair’s shop at the Marche aux Puces St-Ouen de

Clignancourt, where there were some lovely Sarreguemines pieces on display.

East Liverpool, OH was the home of George Morley and his majolica factory. Carolyn and Laurence Vauclair at the shop in the Marche aux Puces St-Ouen de Clignancourt

We also visited Laurence at her shop on the Carré Rive Gauche in Paris, where she was in the process of preparing to move to an exciting new space.

Another treat was a visit to the Musee des Arts Decoratifs (located in the Louvre’s western wing, and not widely visited by tourists). In addition to a stunning special exhibition of Van Cleef and Arpels jewels, the Brownawells discovered a nice display of Charles-Jean Avisseau and Charles-Joseph Landis Palissy items in the museum’s permanent collection.

MAJOLICA MATTERS Page 11 March 2013 Appraisal: Jones Game-Pie Dish - PBS Video

Son Max, enjoys Avisseau’s Surtout de table en forme de rocher (table center, natural rock), c. 1860 at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs Antiques Roadshow appraiser and author of book reference, Majolica, Nicolas Dawes recently I also talked with Laurence about the possibility of appraised a George Jones Game Pie Dish purchased exhibiting at the Chicago conference – she had been in England in 1946 for £12.10 waiting to make a final decision pending notification of The March 25, 2013, PBS broadcast of the Antiques acceptance to a show in Hong Kong, which apparently Roadshow, from Myrtle Beach, SC featured an represents an exciting opportunity for her to show appraisal of a George Jones majolica Game-Pie Dish. majolica in Asia. When we visited her shop on Jan. 8th, she reported that she was accepted to the Hong Kong Nicholas M. Dawes, of Heritage Auctions, appraised show, and would have to miss the MIS conference this the “Full” Nest Quail game pie dish at an auction price year. of $8,000 to $12,000.

We rented an apartment in the Marais district – a few View the video at: video.pbs.org/video/2339288092 steps from the historic Jewish Quarter (the rue de

Rosiers), and easy walking distance to the center of Paris (Notre Dame). Fern Fever, Rustic Fern Stand - Follow-up by Duane Matthes While we almost didn’t have a bad meal in 3 weeks, our favorite places to eat were Laduree (deserts to die for), Ma Cocette (in the flea market), and the restaurants at the Musee D’Orsay and the Musee Jacquemart Andre.

We did take a side trip to Versailles, which was stunning as always. We had all the best intentions to take a 4 hour trip to the Sarreguemines museum, but got lazy and decided it would be a good excuse for a Rare majolica terrarium by George Skey, future visit! sells for $750 In Deborah English’s Majolica Matters article titled “The Beginning and How it Happened” she introduced us to this Rustic Fern Stand with drawings and catalog pages. Later I found these auction results online and thought they would interest us all.

Please send your comments and material A 19th century, naturalistic brown majolica for the newsletter to: earthenware tree trunk base with small drain hole to Wanda Matthes side, complete with fitted glass dome, base stamped 3801 Indigo Drive "George Skey, Wilnecote Works, Tamworth." Plano, Texas Phone: 972 – 596 - 2964 George Skey was a manufacturer of ceramic products eMail: [email protected] notably Stone ware & Terracotta. His firm was established in 1864 and in the 1930s was taken over by

the Doulton factory."

MAJOLICA MATTERS Page 12 March 2013