Here's a blog I originally posted in June on an interesting exhibit at the Lyndhurst Estate not farm from my Bedford, New York farm. If you're in the area, you can still catch it - it runs through the summer.
A striking exhibition marking the evolution of women artists over the course of 300-years is now on display at the Gothic Revival Lyndhurst Estate in Tarrytown, New York.
Presented inside both the Lyndhurst mansion and in its exhibition gallery, this extraordinary "Women's Work" show features more than 125 works including approximately 50 contemporary pieces mainly created after 1970 by mostly American women artists from diverse backgrounds, placed in conversation next to historic antecedents from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Here are photos of a selection of items included in the exhibit, which is on view now through Monday, September 26th.
The “Women’s Work” exhibit was curated by Lyndhurst’s Executive Director Howard Zar, Nancy Carlisle of Historic New England, and Rebecca R. Hart, an independent contemporary art curator. The show displays historic examples of domestic handcrafted items alongside objects made by contemporary women artists who incorporated the same artistic traditions in their practices.
Many of the pieces are presented in this exhibition gallery on the Lyndhurst grounds. The groupings are intended to show the wide breadth of techniques used to create the pieces over time.
Here from left to right: “Tile Palette” by an unknown maker used by Jane Armstrong Tucker and Celia Thaxter/Haviland & Co., “Teacup and Saucer,” Jane Armstrong Tucker/Haviland & Co., “Plate,” Judy Chicago, “Virginia Wolf Test Plate #1 for The Dinner Party,” Emily Cole, “Monarda Cabinet Plate,” “Untitled (Strawberries),” and Emily Cole’s “Cream Pitcher.”
The “Knit Wool Rug” in the foreground was made by Elvira Curtis Hulett when she was 88-years old living with Shakers in Massachusetts. It shows her attention to detail as well as the utilitarian functionality so often shown in Shaker pieces. Above it on the wall is a more contemporary work by Miriam Schapiro called “Golden Pinwheel” which was made using braided and knitted wool.
Hand stitching was the most time consuming of the skills learned by women in the 18th and 19th centuries. Aside from housework, sewing the family’s clothes and linens took up most of a woman’s daily tasks.
On the left is a quilt by renowned African American quilter, Mozell Stephens Benson in 1991. The center piece is Faith Ringgold’s “Feminist Series: Of My Two Handicaps #10.” Faith is known for popularizing the story quilt, a quilt with pictures and textures used primarily to tell a story. On the right is “Bars Quilt” made by Amish artist Elizabeth Yoder between 1870 and 1880.
This is a contemporary “Checkered Quilted Workwear Jacket” made of cotton and hand-tied yarn by Emily Bode – clothing made with modern fabrics and inspired by traditional practices.
This is called “Pantaloncini: Work No. 069” by Angela Ellsworth. These bloomers replicate those worn by 19th century women under their dresses. These garments became a symbol for women’s rights because they represented a lack of movement and the need for freedom. This piece is made using more than 50-thousand brightly colored dress pins and faux pearl corsage pins.
This is a scallop-shell-patterned needlepoint seat cushion – one of 12 made by First Lady Martha Washington around 1801, after the death of her husband, President George Washington.
In this installation, a wax figure by Sarah Gardner Gee made in the 1700s from wax, silk, linen, glass, shells, and wood, next to “Curupira,” by Shary Boyle in 2014. It shows a young women dressed in fancy clothing with fruit suggesting abundance and fertility displayed with a figure showing vulnerability and fear.
This “Dressing Gown” by an unknown maker was made between 1862 and 1864 out of wool, silk, taffeta, and cotton.
Many of the exhibit’s pieces are also displayed in various rooms of the mansion. They are loosely positioned in areas where they may have most naturally been used.
Here is a set of topsy turvy dolls in the child’s bed of the master bed chamber. The dolls are skirted figures that display a different face when turned upside-down. One made by an unknown woman in the 1860s on the left and two created by the artist Kiki Smith in 2002 – “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Owl and Pussycat.”
Contemporary artist Liza Lou created this piece in 2006. Look closely – it is made entirely with beads and aptly named the “Loo.”
Liza also made the popcorn box and popcorn in the back of this case, again all with beads. The beadwork of Northeastern Indigenous tribes has been known as an art of survival. The other pieces were likely done in the mid 19th century also using Indigenous beading techniques.
On this bed, another quilt created by one of the woman servants. Quilting was influenced by a need to provide proper cold weather bed coverings, but over time, also became a very artistic and expressive art form.
The tableau in the Lyndhurst Library features silhouette pieces by Idelle Weber, Kara Walker, and Jaune Quick-to-See Smith. Silhouettes were very popular in the 19th century as a more affordable art form compared to painted portraits. These were often done as parlor activities in the home.
Kathleen Ryan, “Bad Lemon” or “Sour Blush,” made this in 2020 out of aventurine, smokey quartz, rhodonite, calcite, quartz, labradorite, green line jasper, kambaba jasper, pink opal, citrine, amethyst, rose quartz, agate, serpentine, pink lepidolite, malachite, mother of pearl, freshwater pearl, bone, glass, acrylic, and steel pins on coated polystyrene. She was known to carve larger than life fruits into Styrofoam and then cover them with semi-precious stones and glass beads. The rotted sections of the fruit show the national economic decline during that time.
An unknown woman artist created this “Beaded Fruit” piece in the mid-20th century using synthetic beads and straight pins. The beads likely came from a kit sold to female home hobbyists during the Depression.
This is called “Murmur.” Made of wax, silk, and wire in 2009 by artist Valerie Hammond. It combines flora, fauna, and the human body in various gestures.
After the Civil War, home decorating became more common. Victorians were great fans of nature and horticulture. Below is “Floral Wreath” by an unknown artist made with wool and silk in a gilt wood frame. On top is Portia Munson’s 2012 “Morning Glory Mandala” using pigmented ink on Hahnemuhle paper.
The “Women’s Work” exhibit continues through the summer – catch it if you can. And please visit Lyndhurst – the historic estate will inform, intrigue, and inspire you.
We're continuing with a selection of encore blog postings this week. Here's another memorable blog from our visit to Woodbury, Connecticut. It was originally posted on September 5th, 2018. Enjoy.
If you’re ever in or around western Connecticut and love visiting small, charming towns or shopping for antiques, I encourage you to make a stop in the quaint hamlet of Woodbury.
Nestled in the foothills of Litchfield County, Woodbury is known as the “Antiques Capital of Connecticut.” This reputation was established more than 50-years ago when antiques dealers began setting up shops in the historic homes along Main Street. Now the area has more than 35 antiques stores featuring some of the best in period furniture, decor, and art. Woodbury is also filled with beautiful churches and inns, and excellent restaurants and cafes. I've been to Woodbury many times and have always enjoyed my visits there - I know you will too.
Yesterday, my assistant went to Woodbury to pick up something I had recently purchased. This is Tucker Frey Antiques, a shop specializing in 18th and early 19th century pieces. http://www.walinfreyantiques.com/
I had purchased these two antique windows from Tucker Frey, last month, at the New Hampshire Antiques Show. These windows are 300-years old.
They came from a church in Sheffield, Massachusetts. I love the shape and architecture of these windows.
Tucker’s shop has many treasures including William and Mary, Queen Anne, Chippendale, and Federal period furniture and accessories.
Here is a folk art portrait of a boy and his dog from the early 1800s.
This tabletop figure of a woman and her hat probably came from a 19th-century milliner’s shop.
Here is a beautiful antique chest with original brass hardware – everything is in such excellent condition.
Here is one of several copper molds at Tucker’s shop – this lion is quite rare. Molds were popular during the Victorian Era for both savory and sweet dishes. I have collected many molds over the years.
This is an antique pheasant weather vane mounted on a wooden stand.
Next door to Tucker Frey Antiques is Cedar Meadow Store – an antiques shop with whimsy. Owners, Veronica Martin and Jim Orsi both enjoy color, graphics, nature, and folk art. On a center of this table is a taxidermy kingfisher under a glass dome. It is early 20th century from a Natural History Museum in Italy.
This large “store” sign is original from 1850.
This is a set of Victorian nesting blocks.
And here – two Hubley cast iron Boston Terrier door stops. In front of them are modern Tatine votive candles.
Woodbury is very historic. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church sits across the street from Tucker’s shop. It was first organized in 1740.
In 1961, a new parish house was attached to St. Paul’s. The land under the parish house had belonged to the Town of Woodbury, which sold the property to the church in 1959 for a dollar.
Further down Main Street is The Elemental Garden. Unfortunately, it was closed at the time. http://www.theelementalgarden.com/
The Elemental Garden focuses on rare and authentic garden antiques, bold furnishings, and unusual decorative accessories – the walkway to the entrance was decorated with this quaint arbor.
Along the driveway are several ornamental garden statues. This is a set of four lead figures, each representing a different season, raised on large plinth blocks of limestone. They were once part of Oprah Winfrey’s personal collection.
These are covered marble mid-18th century urns hand-carved by a master Italian artisan in Marchese.
This is the Woodbury Public Library. The town’s library first opened in 1851 with a collection of 200-books. It moved to this location in 1902. In its earliest days, the library was governed by several rules including “books could be drawn on the first Thursday of each month, and three-cent fines were levied for damages such as turned down pages or ink spots.”
Not far is the Woodbury Town Hall Building.
The Red Barn Thrift Shop is the go-to place for gently used clothing, household items, books, linens.
The sign next to the door listed its hours and times. Unfortunately, this day was a Tuesday…
Next door is the Red Barn’s other building called the Parsonage Boutique, where most of the clothing items are displayed for visitors.
Wayne Mattox Antiques is a trusted source for 18th and 19th century American furniture, paintings and folk art as well as primitives and antiques with historic appeal. https://www.antiquetalk.com/
The gallery is housed in a classic Greek revival home. This handsome wooden figure sits by the front door.
Wayne has many beautiful antique weather vanes such as this cow with a beautiful patina – the green or brown film on the surface of bronze or similar metals, produced by oxidation over a long period of time.
This is a horse weather vane. A weather vane, wind vane, or weathercock, is an instrument showing the direction of the wind. They often sit atop houses or tower buildings.
This is a giant wooden antique post topper from the early 19th century.
Woodbury is also home to this charming old hardware and feed store, CL Adams Company.
Housed in a converted barn, the stalls are used for storing farm animal feed and supplies.
There are also smaller, hand-packed bags of birdseed.
Inside the store, vintage shelving holds an array of cabinet hardware.
And of course, old fashioned gumball machines for its younger visitors.
Many shops along and around Main Street are listed on the National Registry of Historic Buildings, such as the B. Bourgeois Lighting Building, a gallery of historic lighting fixtures. This structure was originally built in the late 1700s.
I hope you get the opportunity to visit this wonderful New England town – steeped in history, charm, and filled with many antique treasures.
My blog team is taking a little break, so for the next few days we'll be posting some of our favorite summertime blogs from years past. This one was originally posted on August 29th, 2018 - a fun day antiquing in New Hampshire. Enjoy the look back. And if you're in the area, this year's New Hampshire Antiques Show is on August 11-13, 2022.
I love antiques of all kinds and have been collecting for many years, so whenever my schedule allows, I always try to attend a show.
Not long ago while still vacationing in Maine, Kevin Sharkey and I took a day trip to New Hampshire to visit a couple gardens and to attend the 61st annual New Hampshire Antiques Show. The three-day event is hosted by the New Hampshire Antiques Dealers Association. This year, 67-exhibitors gathered at the Manchester Downtown Hotel to showcase some of their finest early American pieces - folk art, porcelain, country and formal furniture, paintings and prints, glassware, metalware, pottery and much more. It was a fun morning, followed by a fun lunch and a visit to the country's longest wooden covered bridge.
Enjoy these photos.
I always stop in the booth of Judy Milne. I’ve admired her pieces for many years. Judy owns Milne Inc., which offers design and decorating services and a showroom of vintage, industrial, antique and custom furniture in Kingston, New York. This wall is filled with fun antique and vintage signs.
Judy Milne also featured this rare marlin weathervane from the 1920s.
And these interesting antique pottery jugs and plates. Early American utilitarian earthenware and stoneware vessels date back to the Colonial period.
This deer buck was presented by John Chaski Antiques in Camden, Delaware. John Chaski’s love for antiques began at an early age, while attending auctions with his father. Now, he exhibits his collections at shows around the country, operates an open shop, and serves as broker for auction sales. https://www.johnchaski.com/
Here’s a brass eagle wall piece from Ian McKelvey Antiques in South Windham, Connecticut, a shop specializing in antiquities, art, and furniture.
And here’s another marlin table top figure.
Here’s a farm sign warning visitors of livestock in the area.
Recognize these? I also have a set. They’re German glass tulips from the early 1920s. The set includes red, pink, purple and yellow tulips, all with green stems ranging from eight to 12-inches tall. They’re quite rare.
Also at the New Hampshire Antiques Show – handmade antique quilts. People in nearly every part of the world had used padded fabrics for clothing, bedding, and even armor. In fact, the word quilt comes from the Latin word ‘culcita’, meaning stuffed mattress or cushion. With the arrival of the English and Dutch settlers in North America, quilting took on a new life and flourished.
Here is one of a set of 12 English antique creamware plates by Wedgewood from 1872 – a rare pattern with red feathered edges.
Another well-loved pottery maker was Roseville. The Roseville Pottery Company was an American manufacturer in the 19th and 20th centuries – one of the three major art potteries in Ohio at the time. Though the company originally made simple household pieces, the Arts and Crafts–inspired designs rose in popularity and are now sought after by collectors. This is a vintage Roseville creamware pitcher with a green band stripe.
Here is another early Roseville piece – it is about 18-inches in diameter at its widest point and approximately six and a half inches tall. The pitcher is cream color with a one and a quarter-inch orange stripe all the way around.
And who can resist a handsome cast iron dog figure – this one a hunting dog presented by Heller Washam Antiques in Portland, Maine.
After our morning at the New Hampshire Antiques show, we stopped for lunch at the popular Red Arrow Diner in Manchester. Its pledge: “to create, cook and serve, with consistency and a smile, the most palate pleasing diner eats known to mankind.”
The Red Arrow first opened in 1922 – it has kept a lot of its vintage charm ever since.
The popular eatery offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert 24-hours a day, seven-days a week, 365-days a year.
The diner displays “Dinah Doodles” along the wall – showcasing various patron drawings.
Here was Kevin’s lunch – a DinahMoe Burger with two ground beef burgers, lettuce, tomato, bacon, and cheese on a roll with fries.
I had a salad and a BLT.
This is one of the original vintage “Dinah mugs” at the Red Arrow Diner.
And here’s a look into the dessert case – pie pieces were going very fast.
On our way back to Skylands, we crossed this beautiful bridge – the Cornish–Windsor Covered Bridge. It spans the Connecticut River between Cornish, New Hampshire and Windsor, Vermont.
This is the longest wooden covered bridge in the United States and the longest two-span covered bridge in the world. There were three bridges previously built on this site—one in 1796, another in 1824 and then another in 1828. The current bridge was originally built in 1866, and rebuilt in 1988. It is approximately 449-feet long and 24-feet wide. I love the sign above – “Walk Your Horses or Pay a Two Dollar Fine.”
The Connecticut River is the longest river in New England, flowing roughly southward for 406-miles through four states. It runs from the U.S. border with Quebec, Canada, all the way to the Long Island Sound. It was a beautiful drive home. If you’re ever in this area, I encourage you to take a drive along this gorgeous river.
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