Tag Archives: Norman Bel Geddes

Virtual Visits: Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art


Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art

As Chris mentioned in our last post, we are not Driving for Deco much right now. But it doesn’t mean we can’t “visit” some great museums. Thanks to the internet some of the best Art Deco collections are literally at our fingertips. One of the places at the top of our driving list is the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art, in Denver, Colorado.

 

Vintage postcard of Denver Colorado.

VIntage Denver, Colorado postcard. Image from flickr.com.

The Kirkland Museum landed on our radar after being feature on The Antiques Road Show in 2010. Roadshow was there highlighting their very large collection of Ruba Rombic glass.

Vance Kirkland (1904 - 1981)

Vance Kirkland in front of his studio at 1311 Pearl Street, 1941. Photo courtesy of the Denver Public Library, Western History Collection, WH1062

In 1929, the University of Denver hired Kirkland to become their founding director of the School of Art. He only held the position for three years before resigning over a dispute with the University not granting credit for art courses toward graduation. Upon leaving the University he leased the Arts and Crafts style building at 1311 Pearl Street and opened the Kirkland School of Art in 1933. Classes he taught there were accredited by the University of Colorado. When he returned to the University of Denver as director of the School of Art in 1946, the Pearl Street building became his studio. Although he retired from academic life in 1969, Kirkland continue to paint up to his death in 1981. Being predeceased by his wife and having no children he will his estate to friend, Hugh A. Grant.

 

Hugh A. Grant

Hugh A. Grant, the Kirkland’s founding director and curator. Image from bonfils-stantonfoundation.org

 

 

 

Under Hugh A. Grant the founding director and curator, the museum started taking shape. Construction began in 1998 on a 8,830 square foot addition to the original studio for exhibition space and visitor amenities. Completed in 2000, the museum opened to the public in 2003.

 

Kirkland's original studio and the first home of the museum.

1311 Pearl Street. Vance Kirkland’s original studio and part of the museum’s first home. Image from kirklandmuseum.org.

 For thirteen years this was the home of the Kirkland Museum. The museum houses three primary collections:

1. International Decorative Arts, featuring objects from most of the major decorative movements between 1875 – 1990.

2. The Colorado / Regional Collection which includes over 7,000 works by 700 local artists.

3. Kirkland Retrospective highlighting his 55 years of paintings.

 

Using a salon-style to display collection items is somewhat unusual for museums. Instead of separating fine art from decorative art they are displayed together, much like in a home. And by placing furniture on the floor allows visitors to experience the pieces in their intended perspective.

 

The Art Deco Collection at the Pearl Street location.

The Art Deco collection as it was displayed at the Pearl Street location. Image from kirklandmuseum.org.

 

It only took less than a decade to realize a larger space would be needed. In 2016 construction began on the present museum. Because Kirkland’s studio was so integral to their identity it also made the move to its present location. At 1201 Bannock Street, in Denver’s Golden Triangle Creative District, the new Kirkland is more than four times the size of the original. The new building opened on March 10, 2018.

 

The new Kirkland Museum.

The Kirkland Museum at 1201 Bannock Street. Photo by Daniel Holton from Facebook.

 

Now that we’ve set the stage, here’s how to “visit” the Kirkland virtually. Start by going to the museum’s home page at kirklandmuseum.org.

 

Kirkland Museum's home page.

Home page at kirklandmuseum.org.

 

There are two ways to view the museum’s items: for in depth details about select pieces, select collections from the header. Then click on “SEARCH COLLECTION HIGHLIGHTS” from the drop down menu.

 

Choose search collection highlights.

Choose search collection highlights.

Once the “Collection Search” window pops up, type in “Art Deco” and hit enter.

Collection search window.

The Collection Search window.

 

 

Here are the results. To learn more about any of these items, just click on the photo.

Search collection results.

Results of “Search the Collection”.

 

I really love the black chair by Wolfgang Hoffmann. So to learn more about it, I’m going to click on its photo.

 

Wolfgang Hoffmann lounge chair.

Information about the Wolfgang Hoffmann, Art Deco lounge chair.

 

And here is a lot of great information about this item. Facts about the designer, when the chair dates from, its manufacturer, dimensions to what gallery it is on view in.  And when you are done with this slide, clicking on the “Art Deco” tab on top, will bring up even more great collection pieces.

Kirkland's Art Deco collection highlights.

Highlights of the Kirkland Museums Art Deco Collection.

It’s impossible for a museum to have all of its collection on display. But by going to a museum’s website one can see much more of the collection. I think the Kirkland Museum is an exception to this rule. It seems there’s a lot more of its Art Deco collection on display, than online. I found this out by “walking” through the museum on their virtual tour. To begin “click” on the “Explore our Virtual Exhibition Online!” window. That will take you to the page with the “Take a 360 Degree Virtual Tour!”

 

The start of the Kirkland Museum's virtual visit.

The “entrance” to the virtual tour on the Kirkland Museum’s Home page.

 

 

This works just like Google Street View, so click on the arrows and start to explore.

 

Kirkland Museum admission desk.

The Kirkland’s admission desk.

 

Here are some of the great Art Deco pieces I saw on my tour.

 

Display case of Art Deco, ceramics, metal and glass pieces.

Art Deco glass, ceramics and metal works.

 

This display case features ceramics by Viktor and Paul Schreckengost, Chase metal work including the Pretzel Man by Lurelle Guild and some wonderful glass items.

 

More Art Deco glass and ceramics, including Ruba Rombic.

More Art Deco glass and ceramics.

Here is another case chock full of Art Deco glass and ceramics. Not only do they have Reuben Haley’s Ruba Rombic glassware he designed for Consolidated Glass in 1928, there’s also his Ruba Rombic ceramics he made for Muncie Pottery. Also in the case are pieces in the Tearoom and Pyramid patterns by Indiana Glass. And in the lower right is Norman Bel Geddes’ Manhattan cocktail set (tray, shaker and two cups) for Revere.

 

Salon setting for larger pieces, including furniture and paintings.

Salon setting for furniture , accessories and paintings.

 

A few of the Deco standouts in this Salon Setting are, a teal and gold Skyscraper bookcase by Paul Frankl, circa 1927. There’s the Wolfgang Hoffmann lounge chair, a machine age Pattyn Products Company table lamp, circa 1935 attributed to Walter von Nessen. And a wonderful green leather and aluminum tube chair by Warren McArthur.

 

Another Kirkland Museum Salon Setting, with pieces by Gilbert Rohde, Walter von Nessen and Paul Frankl.

Another setting with a impressive pieces.

 

Aside from a couple of great chairs and a terrific rug, the standout in this grouping the sideboard. This is a piece designed in 1933 by Gilbert Rohde for the Herman Miller Furniture Company. Sitting on top is the Chase Coronet Coffee service, another von Nessen design. And all the way on the right of the case is Paul Fankl’s Modernique or Fifty Dollar clock (because that how much it cost in 1929) made by Telechron.

 

This was just the tip of the iceberg of their collection of over 4,400 pieces. So when it is really safe to travel and gather together once more, consider making the Kirkland Museum a place to visit. You might even see us there.

 

Exterior of the Kirkland Museum.

Exterior of the Kirkland Museum on Bannock Street. Photo by Wes Magyar, from kirklandmuseum.org.

 

Anthony & Chris – The Freakin”tiquen Guys.

 

 

First Weekend Finds of 2018

Over a recent weekend, Chris and I drove out to Chicago to attend the wedding of friends. When asked by people whether we would be flying, I replied “No driving, you can’t get antiques on a plane.” So setting out on a Thursday evening we headed west. Reaching Cleveland by midnight, we called it quits. By early Friday afternoon we had reached Elkhart, Indiana and decided to try our luck. Our first stop was the 820 Antiques at 820 N. Ward Street, Elkhart.

 

820 Antiques entrance.

Entrance to 820 Antiques at 820 N. Ward Street in Elkhart, Indiana. Photo from Facebook.

820 Antiques is a good size mall, with a friendly staff and a wide variety of items that makes browsing fun. This visit we only bought a souvenir spoon from Chicago’s, 1933 Century of Progress World’s Fair. But should we ever be in Elkhart again we would definitely stop in.

 

 

Here’s a lesson to never let a name trick you. While looking up antique stores in Elkhart, one of the stores that came up in my Google search was The Amish Mall. I have to admit the use of “Amish” was a turn off for me. As we were heading back to the highway and to Chicago, we stopped at a traffic light on W. Bristol Street. Directly across the street from the light was The Amish Mall. Because it was right there, we thought let’s try our luck.

Elkhart Indiana's The Amish Mall.

The Amish Mall at 1216 W. Bristol Street, Elkhart, Indiana. Photo from Facebook.

They do sell Amish furniture and goods and hence the name of the store. But they are multi dealer shop selling almost anything you can imagine.

 

Always keeping an eye out for Deco at the back of the store we found a Royalchrome desk. Online searches for the desk have attributed the design to Kem Weber and Wolfgang Hoffmann. Both men did design for Howell in the 1930’s and 1940’s. But we have not found any proof as yet if either designed this desk. We believe this desk was the design of an anonymous company employee creating in the style of Weber and Hoffmann. So far the only period reference I’ve found is a 1947 advertisement from ebay that shows a desk similar but not exactly the same.

 

1947 Royalchrome Ad.

1947 Royalchrome advertisement showing the chrome tube metal desk. Image from Ebay.

 

Chris really liked the desk and with a price of only $100.00 it was too good a deal to pass up. Chris’ desk is black metal, with chrome tube legs and an ebonized wood top. It’s a striking piece of furniture and its in very good condition. Our biggest concern was, will it fit in the car. It did.

 

 

Like the staff of 820 Antiques the staff at The Amish Mall were friendly and helpful. We would stop back there should we find our selves back in Elkhart. Now it was on to  Chicago and the wedding. Before leaving Chicago on Sunday Chris and I visited two antiques malls on the North Side. Stop one, the Edgewater Antique Mall. On this trip we did not make a purchase, I know we will go back in the future and will buy something.

 

Edgewater Antique Mall in Chicago.

Edgewater Antique Mall, 6314 N. Broadway, Chicago, Illinois. Photo from edgewaterantiquemall.com

The Edgewater Antique Mall is a multi dealer shop. Most of the dealers specialize in Mid-Century Modern, at fair prices. There is also a nice selection of Art Deco objects and a great choice of items from the 1933-1934 Chicago World’s Fair.

 

 

Just a short distance down North Broadway is the Broadway Antique Market, located inside an former 1930’s department store.. This mall offers 75 dealers on two floors, with objects from many eras, but with a large array of Art Deco and Mid-Century items.

 

Broadway Antique Market.

The Broadway Antique Market. 6130 N. Broadway, Chicago, Illinois.

 

Chris and I felt right at home at the Broadway Antique Market. Items we took a pass on, two, three tiered, ebonized wood and chrome tube side tables. These tables (sold by two different dealers) definitely designed by Wolfgang Hoffmann were in great condition, but we had no room in the car and they cost just a bit more than we could spend.

 

Wolfgang Hoffmann side table.

A three tiered side table by Wolfgang Hoffmann for Howell. Painted white, unlike the black painted ones at the Broadway Antique Market. Photo from 1stdibs.com

And a pair of Norman Bel Geddes, enameled steel, club chairs. Unlike the one in the photo below the chairs for sale had a light brown upholstery, with metal painted to look like burl wood. They were very nice and also out of our price range.

 

Bel Geddes lounge chair.

Norman Bel Geddes enameled steel lounge chair, circa 1932. Photo from 1stdibs.com.

 

What I did find, was an item high on my “Art Deco Bucket List”, a Norman Bel Geddes, Soda King syphon bottle. To me this is the ultimate in syphon bottles. It is ultramodern and looks like a bullet. The evolution of the Soda King syphon bottle can be found here in this article we did a couple of years ago. I call the design for this bottle the “Syphon of tomorrow”. It hit the stores in time for the Christmas season of 1938.  I’ve been looking for this syphon for a number or years. Once I saw one for sale at a NYC antique show for $450.00, way too much for me. Luckily the one for sale at the Broadway Antique Market had a price of $125.00. Not cheap but a much more reasonable price than the one at the antique show.

1938 Soda King Syphon

The bottom of the Soda King bottle showing Norman Bel Geddes name attributing the design to the famed industrial designer.

I know the Broadway Antique Market will always be a destination for Chris and me when we are in the Chicago area. And if you are into Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern or just like great antique malls, you should check it out too. Now lets see what other Deco finds we’ll come across in 2018.

 

Anthony & Chris (The Freakin’, ‘Tiquen Guys)