Wedding Glass
German
Late 18th century
Gift of Florence Dibell Bartlett
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Representing most cultural groups of continental
Europe, the collection of European objects consists of glass,
metal, wood, fiber, clay, and paper. Highlights of the holdings
include 18th century Swiss and Austrian painted drinking cups,
18th and 19th century central European cutlery, early 19th
century Norwegian painted furniture, 20th century Swedish
household items, Polish figurative carvings and paper cut
outs. Outstanding is the ceramic collection which consists
of rare and unusual bowls from Sweden, early bottles from
Hungary, 18th century faience (tin-glazed earthenware) wine
tankards from Romania, 18th century French faience, 20th century
Quimper pottery, 18th century "delftware" (tin-glazed
earthenware) bowls and tiles from The Netherlands, 19th and
20th century tin-glazed earthenware from Portugal, contemporary
Spanish
mayólica» (tin-glazed
earthenware), and 20th century British Studio pottery. Textiles
from the Greek Isles, and the collection of needlework samplers,
are superb. Looking at works that demonstrate cross cultural
influences, we honor the legacy of our founder, Florence Dibell
Bartlett, and the raison d'etre of the museum.
European paintings and drawings in the collection consist
of Polish, Romanian, and Greek Orthodox reverse glass religious
paintings, and works by Czech visionary artist Anna
Zemánková».
Future collection in this area will be centered on contemporary
visionary art.
The Girard
Collection» is
comprised of popular arts and ephemera from throughout Europe
but is particularly strong in Juvenile Drama dioramas from
England, France and Germany. There is also a fine collection
of Provencal santons, religious and genre figures,
lead soldiers from various countries, and Sicilian puppets.
The North American collection is small but impressive. Highlights
include sweet grass baskets from South Carolina, face jugs
and other pottery from the Carolinas and Georgia, weathervanes,
and whirligigs, circus memorabilia, Amish quilts, hooked rugs,
and other textiles. American craft is best represented by
20th century basketry. A selection of work by National
Heritage Fellows»,
representing traditional native and immigrant traditions is
ongoing. Major American self-taught, visionary and outsider
artists represented include Elijiah Pierce, Minnie Evans,
Mr. Imagination, Nellie Walker, Eddie Arning, Miles Carpenter,
Barry Simons, Mary T. Smith and Jim McCullough. Collecting
in this area will focus on the younger generation of artists.
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