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New Museum Question

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Author	Topic: New Museum Question
chase33 Posts: 362 Registered: Feb 2008	posted 06-19-2010 07:19 PM [01-2841] After seeing the new acquisitions for the Dallas Museum, it got me to thinking: If you were ever lucky enough to start a new museum devoted to silver, what piece or pieces would you include and why. After thinking about this I decided to pose this question to the forum and see what answers it generates. The pieces can be: either flatware (patterns or individual pieces) or holloware made of coin, sterling or silverplate pieces that have a reasonable chance of being acquired (you can pretend price is no object) so this would exclude one-of-a kind pieces already in museums have a historical or design pedigree that makes them museum worthy Of course my first nomination would be the Chantilly pattern both for its design, for its longevity and for the number of interesting pieces that were made in this pattern. My second would be the Gorham fruit stand from 1860's based on its outstanding design and workmanship. Anyone else have an opinion? Robert PS. I am not affiliated with a museum, and don't actually plan to start one, unless I win the big lottery at which point I will be contacting you for purchasing items. LOL. IP: Logged
Ulysses Dietz Moderator Posts: 1265 Registered: May 99	posted 06-20-2010 12:33 PM Given your jumping off with Chantilly--I'll go with the flatware mode, and say that I'd include Gale "Gothic" as well as "Prince Albert" or whatever that other pattern is, and then "Olive" in its earliest American variant. These are, to my understanding, the very first "patterns" in American flatware--and they ultimately transform the way Americans see and purchase flatware. I'd put Gorham "Medallion" in there, and Tiffany "Japanese"--both as firsts. let's see--then Unger "Douvaine" as the greatest art nouveau design. WHO HAS A FAVORITE ART DECO PATTERN THAT WOULD BE WORTHY? IP: Logged
argentum1 Posts: 602 Registered: Apr 2004	posted 06-20-2010 01:39 PM Would it be possible to include images of the patterns. I, and most likely others, have not the vaguest clue as to what they look like. Thanks. IP: Logged
chase33 Posts: 362 Registered: Feb 2008	posted 06-20-2010 03:57 PM Great idea. I will try to post some pictures later tonight as I am getting ready for fathers day. IP: Logged
Marc Posts: 414 Registered: Jun 2002	posted 06-20-2010 05:45 PM Hi there Ulysses, et al, My favorite deco pattern is "Park Avenue", (introduced in 1931) by Manchester. The handle is made in the image of a skyscraper. Oh, to find out what these patterns look like, use a search engine, and include the name of the pattern + sterling flatware, and the name of the manufacturer. All right guys, What are your favorite modernist patterns?.. and, Arts & Crafts patterns. Marc IP: Logged
DB Posts: 252 Registered: May 2006	posted 06-20-2010 06:01 PM My favorite is Georgian by Porter Blanchard, closely followed by Modell No. 2000 by Joseph Maria Olbrich (but this was is silver-plated). Tulip - if I remember correctly by Vogeler - is also pretty neat. IP: Logged
chase33 Posts: 362 Registered: Feb 2008	posted 06-20-2010 09:17 PM Here are pictures of the patterns named so far: Chantilly - Gorham Gothic - Gale Olive Medallion - Gorham Japanese - Tiffany Douvaine - Unger IP: Logged
chase33 Posts: 362 Registered: Feb 2008	posted 06-20-2010 09:20 PM Here are the other pictures: Park Avenue - Manchester Georgian Scroll - Porter Blanchard Modell No. 2000 - Joseph Maria Olbrich I couldn't find Prince Albert or Tulip pictures. IP: Logged
chase33 Posts: 362 Registered: Feb 2008	posted 06-20-2010 09:21 PM Two of my favorite Art Deco patterns: Shamrock V - Gorham Orchid - International IP: Logged
Hose_dk Posts: 400 Registered: May 2008	posted 06-21-2010 12:43 AM To me it looks as if you will fill a museum with different designs. In my opinion that museum does not have a future. There are many nice designs but should a new museum not have a theme? If I should point at a pattern of forks and spoons - I would chose some that has lasted for centuries and still appeal to use - even today. That is what I buy. Knowing that the museum would not have an audience - I would say that engravings could be the subject. Owners engraving that represent a highlight in peoples live. Wedding, Birth, Death, Anniversaries, Token of appreciation, Carriers. That sort of things. Here is a pattern that has proved stability. The spoon is Danish made in 1807. At that time Napoleon was emperor in France. Robert E. Lee was born that year. But when the spoon was made in 1807 it was a pattern that was more than 50 years old. IP: Logged
dragonflywink Posts: 993 Registered: Dec 2002	posted 06-21-2010 10:16 AM I thought this would make a very interesting very interesting thread, but have found it a bit daunting to decide which pieces I'd choose. Most of my personal experience has been with smaller museums, either in size or focus, with the exception being the vast and wonderful Art Institute of Chicago (I never, ever have enough time there). As some suggestions have already indicated, perhaps we could think in terms of exhibits, my weakness for Scandinavian silver is pretty well focused on Dragestil and Skonvirke design, differing from those with a passion for earlier pieces. While I enjoy, appreciate and respect the look and history of the classic silver designs that have lasted for generations (some for centuries), my eye is drawn to more eccentric designs. Since it's an imaginary museum, it can be filled with whatever we like and as in real life, one can just skip through any of the wings that hold little personal interest (though often, they are more interesting on inspection). ~Cheryl IP: Logged
ellabee Posts: 306 Registered: Dec 2007	posted 06-21-2010 01:30 PM Here's a sample of Prince Albert patterns; I had trouble adding the Gale&Hayden version, but it's more similar to the rightmost three than to the fancier, patented JC Moore version. It's based on (is a copy of) a British pattern from the 1830s called 'Albert'. IP: Logged
Dale Posts: 2132 Registered: Nov 2002	posted 06-21-2010 02:33 PM The patterns I would add would be 1847 Rogers Arcadian and Assyrian Head. These are multi-motif figural patterns. Being on steel with a coat of silver, the figures remain crisp and sharp after more than a century. I will try to find pictures of them. IP: Logged
chase33 Posts: 362 Registered: Feb 2008	posted 06-21-2010 09:57 PM Here is Arcadian by Rogers: and Assyrian Head by Rogers: IP: Logged
chase33 Posts: 362 Registered: Feb 2008	posted 06-21-2010 10:17 PM Here is another piece I would include. It is a child's bowl and under plate designed by Erik Magnussen for Gorham circa 1925-1929. To me, it is a pure art deco piece from the shape to the decoration and was way ahead of its time. IP: Logged
chase33 Posts: 362 Registered: Feb 2008	posted 06-21-2010 10:24 PM I appreciate everyone's thoughts and while this post has tended to sway more to flatware, other pieces would be welcomed as well. Who knows, maybe if there is enough interest, maybe Scott will allow another forum (a virtual museum!). But don't worry Scott, I would gladly be the moderator. Robert IP: Logged

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