Museum Collections: A Thing of Beauty

Detail from: Chinese Export Porcelain, Verte Imari Charger, ca.1690, Porcelain. Gift of the Estate of William Francis McCall, Jr., by exchange.

Porcelain and glass collections are exhibited in the Decorative Arts Gallery, adjacent to the Museum’s lakeside terrace. Installations of art glass, the McCall Collection of Chinese Export Porcelain and the Loeb Collection of First Period Worcester Porcelain are always on view.

Frederick Carder (American, born England, 1863-1963), Steuben GlassWorks, Corning, New York, Ivrene Urn, ca. 1930, Glass. Gift of Neal Brantley in memory of Olive Wiley, by exchange.

The Museum’s collection includes examples of glass from Europe and the United States. This Frederick Carder Ivrene Urn was made by the Steuben Glass Works in about 1930.

Chinese Export Porcelain, Verte Imari Charger, ca. 1690, Porcelain. Gift of the Estate of William Francis McCall, Jr., by exchange.

The Estate of William F. McCall donated a significant collection of Chinese Export Porcelain to the Museum in the memory of Mr. McCall, an architect and graduate of the Auburn University School of Architecture. This presentation surveys many forms and vessels that were commonly shipped from China to Europe during the height of the trade in export ware.

Worcester Porcelain Factory, Worcester, England, Pair of Hexagonal Covered Vases, ca. 1765, Porcelain. Gift of Mr. And Mrs. James Lucien Loeb.

The Loeb Collection focuses on the First Period of Worcester production, between 1751 and 1783. This pair of urns demonstrates the magnificence and quality of decoration which was the mark of First Period Worcester.

The Loeb Collection of First Period Worcester Porcelain

Worcester porcelain has been collected since its first appearance in mid-eighteenth-century England. The objects themselves are superb, with fine modeling of the forms and diverse styles of decoration. In addition to their aesthetic value, these pieces are indicative of the customs and fashions of the time when they were made-they illustrate the larger cultural context that prompted their manufacture and has insured their continued appreciation.

Portfolio
	This pear-shaped mug is decorated with a black transfer print of Frederick, King of Prussia, who was England’s ally against the French and became a national hero in England. Frederick points to a trophy of arms intended to commemorate the victories of war. On the reverse is a winged figure of Victory, blowing her trumpet.
	This teapot and cover are decorated with a molded pattern, embossed figures of chrysanthemums and leaves that were inspired by Chinese porcelain decoration. Here, the pattern is left plain-only minimal gold decoration has been applied to the rims, spout, finial and handle.
	Sweetmeat stands were used for the service of small candies, or other bits of food. The shell forms are molded-some based on actual shells, while others are totally imaginary.
	Jugs were highly useful forms that were decorated in a number of different ways. This example has a blue scale decoration in the background, one of the finest decorative grounds that Worcester ever created. The reserve panels (white areas not covered by the ground) are space for decoration, in this case floral sprigs. Worcester porcelain is also known for the fanciful elements that are scattered throughout its decorative schemes, see for example the flying insect on the throat of the jug.