NEW STARS EMERGE FROM AMONG THE CHRYSLER MUSEUM’S WORLD RENOWNED GLASS COLLECTION

The Chrysler Offers Hands-On Glassblowing, Spotlights Examples of 19th-Century Cameo Glass Masterpieces

(Norfolk, VA)—Much more than just a “pretty vase.” Each carefully carved cameo masterpiece possesses a style all its own—a beautiful floral design, a mythological scene, images of animals, or a combination of several themes. Their rich history, beginning at the height of the Roman Empire, coupled with the intricacy of each design, intrigues adoring fans and has inspired artists for centuries. Highlighting the skills and artistic achievements of these master carvers, cameo glass steals the spotlight in the new exhibition, Cameo Performances: Masterpieces of Cameo Glass from the Chrysler’s Collection, opening Sunday, June 29, 2008 - July 1, 2010.

John Northwood I (English, 1836–1902) Milton Vase, 1878 Gift of Rebecca W. Hitt in memory of Billy Hitt and Museum purchase

 

This exhibition consists of 38 unique objects, each reflecting a different influence—neo-classicism, classic Roman and Greek, Victorian, Asian, and contemporary themes. Although they differ in design, the tedious process through which each cameo glass was created took significant skill and patience to complete.

George Woodall (English, 1850–1925) Thomas Woodall (English, 1849–1926) Thomas Webb & Sons Intruders, ca. 1893 Gift of Rebecca W. Hitt in memory of Billy Hitt and Museum purchase with the assistance of Mr. and Mrs. John S. Shannon

 

Cameo, broadly defined, is any glass in which the surface is cut away to leave a design in relief. Carvers used hand cutting tools, similar to those used by sculptors, to slowly and carefully cut away the unwanted portion of the glass—creating a spectacular one-of-a-kind design. Wheel cutting and hydrofluoric acid were also used to perfect the art. Since the late 1800s, artists have preferred the use of hydrofluoric acid, reserving wheel cutting and hand sculpturing to finish and detail each masterpiece.

Cameo Performances: Masterpieces of Cameo Glass from the Chrysler’s Collection features several notable pieces that are considered among the very finest and most skilled products of the glassmaking craft. George and Thomas Woodall's cameo glass plaque Intruders is unequivocally one of the greatest cameo glass masterpieces of the 19th century. George Woodall succeeded in creating the illusion of perspective in an amazingly shallow space (the distance between the rim and the back is less than inch). The Dragon Vase, an elegant Thomas Webb blue and white cameo glass in Chinese taste, will also be featured in the exhibition. The two dragons that encircle the vase are in unusually high relief, their overall shapes having been blown-molded before the vase was carved. Finally, the star of the show, Northwood's acclaimed Milton Vase. This high neck vase with handles is blown transparent blue glass cased with opaque white cameo carved in high relief with images after Milton's ”Paradise Lost” of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden on one side and the six-winged angel Raphael, on the other side.

Thomas Webb & Sons Dragon Bowl, ca. 1885 Gift of Rebecca W. Hitt in memory of Billy Hitt

 

This is the Chrysler’s first glass exhibition since the departure of longtime glass curator, Gary Baker, who served in that position for well over 25 years. In August 2007, the Chrysler began a nationwide search for an individual who would take the same great care in highlighting one of the Museum’s most beloved treasures as Baker had for decades. Finally, that search ended when the Museum found Kelly Conway.

Conway, originally from Toledo, Ohio, holds a BA in American History from DePauw University and an MA in the History of Decorative Arts from the Parsons School of Design at the Smithsonian Associates. Prior to her arrival at the Chrysler, she was the Manager of Random Harvest, an antique and home furnishings business in Washington D.C.  She also previously held internship positions at the Toledo Museum of Art, Conner Prairie Living History Museum and in the Historic Preservation Department of the Executive Office of the President of the United States. Conway is a contributing author for ABC-CLIO’s forthcoming World History Encyclopedia, and is preparing an article for the National American Glass Club’s Summer 2008 Bulletin. She has lectured on the history of glass for many organizations including the Masters Program at the Smithsonian, National American Glass Club, and the Visual Arts Center of Tidewater Community College. 

Cameo Performances: Masterpieces of Cameo Glass from the Chrysler’s Collection will be on view until July 1, 2010.

Members of the media in need of high-resolution images of the exhibition may contact the Office of Communications at 757.333.6295 or communications@chrysler.org for more information.