GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Between 1925 and 1965, American potteries reached their peak in both production and importance in the marketplace. Serving this industry were many world-famous designers, among them Viktor Schreckengost. Developed to fit the casual lifestyle that had developed in post-World War II America, the Free Form line is characterized by non-traditional shapes - cups that stand on three legs, and oval-teardrop-form salt and pepper shakers, among others. The teapot with its loop handle, tripod feet, and extended spout is the most avant-garde piece in this line. Several of the decorative patterns applied to these forms were also unusual. Primitive is loosely derived from the imagery of prehistoric cave painting, most famously seen at Lascaux. Interestingly, the manufacturer hoped this pattern would appeal to male consumers, rather than their female counterparts, who represented the vast majority of ceramics buyers.
Adapted from
Charles L. Venable, Ellen P. Denker, Katherine C. Grier, Stephen G. Harrison, China and Glass in America, 1880-1980: From Tabletop to TV Tray (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2000), cat. 198, 467.
NOTES
- changed rule to associate to all individual pieces in addition to the virtual object (HAB, 2/16/17)
- updated provenance and geo x refs in TMS for virtual object and all children, (HAB, 2/16/17)
- audio asset marked NR in Piction
- There is another Schreckengost "primitive" teapot with accession number 1996.7.a-b
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Schreckengost_Viktor: ULAN: 500055513
Cultures
Geography
Sebring (Ohio): TGN: 2081809
Cleveland (Ohio): TGN: 7013608
Tallahassee (Florida): TGN: 7013938
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
Until 2002: Collection of Viktor Schreckengost, Cleveland Heights, Ohio [1]
From 2002: Dallas Museum of art, gift of Viktor Schreckengost [1]
[1] See Deed of Gift dated July 15, 2002 in the Collections Records Object File (2002.41.1-8)
AUDIO ASSETS
13309366: UMO. Listen to "Modernism in American Ceramics: The Machine Age," a Gallery Talk by McDermott Intern Kim McCarty given on November 19, 2008.
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
- Khan Academy~See prehistoric cave paintings in Lascaux, the type of prehistoric art that inspired the "Primitive" pattern.
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
Apply to objects where number equals 2002.41.5.A-B
Category
rules_operator
AND
General Description
Between 1925 and 1965, American potteries reached their peak in both production and importance in the marketplace. Serving this industry were many world-famous designers, among them Viktor Schreckengost. Developed to fit the casual lifestyle that had developed in post-World War II America, the Free Form line is characterized by non-traditional shapes - cups that stand on three legs, and oval-teardrop-form salt and pepper shakers, among others. The teapot with its loop handle, tripod feet, and extended spout is the most avant-garde piece in this line. Several of the decorative patterns applied to these forms were also unusual. Primitive is loosely derived from the imagery of prehistoric cave painting, most famously seen at Lascaux. Interestingly, the manufacturer hoped this pattern would appeal to male consumers, rather than their female counterparts, who represented the vast majority of ceramics buyers.
Adapted from
Charles L. Venable, Ellen P. Denker, Katherine C. Grier, Stephen G. Harrison, China and Glass in America, 1880-1980: From Tabletop to TV Tray (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2000), cat. 198, 467.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
- Khan Academy~See prehistoric cave paintings in Lascaux, the type of prehistoric art that inspired the "Primitive" pattern.
Notes
- changed rule to associate to all individual pieces in addition to the virtual object (HAB, 2/16/17)
- updated provenance and geo x refs in TMS for virtual object and all children, (HAB, 2/16/17)
- audio asset marked NR in Piction
- There is another Schreckengost "primitive" teapot with accession number 1996.7.a-b
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Schreckengost_Viktor: ULAN: 500055513
Cultures
Geography
Sebring (Ohio): TGN: 2081809
Cleveland (Ohio): TGN: 7013608
Tallahassee (Florida): TGN: 7013938
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
Until 2002: Collection of Viktor Schreckengost, Cleveland Heights, Ohio [1]
From 2002: Dallas Museum of art, gift of Viktor Schreckengost [1]
[1] See Deed of Gift dated July 15, 2002 in the Collections Records Object File (2002.41.1-8)
AUDIO ASSETS
13309366: UMO. Listen to "Modernism in American Ceramics: The Machine Age," a Gallery Talk by McDermott Intern Kim McCarty given on November 19, 2008.
VIDEO ASSETS
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
2002.41.5.A-B
source file
object_notes_3_a-0022.xml.nores