Thursday, December 13, 2007
The Art of Turkmen Weaving on View in For Tent and Trade
Turkmen people, Saryk subgroup: Storage bag (juval), face, 19th century. Gift of George and Marie Hecksher
Turkmen people, Tekke subgroup: Door surround (kapunuk), mid 19th century. Wiedersperg Collection, Gift of Wolfgang and Gisela Wiedersperg
Opening this Saturday, December 15, in the de Young’s Textiles Gallery is the exhibition For Tent and Trade: Masterpieces of Turkmen Weaving, which showcases examples from the Fine Arts Museums’ stellar collection of Turkmen carpets and related textiles. I asked exhibition curator Diane Mott a few questions about the show and the works on view.
Q: Why should people come and see this exhibition? What can they expect to see?
A: The Fine Arts Museums’ collection of Turkmen textiles is the finest in any museum in the United States and one of the finest in the world. Only collections in Russian museums, which were started quite early, have as many rare, early pieces.
There is a chance here to see some really outstanding examples of the art of Turkmen weaving. There are of course magnificent carpets on display, as well as tent decorations, camel trappings, and storage bags. There are also photographs for context and a selection of superb Turkmen costumes on loan from New York collectors Marshall and Marilyn Wolf.
Q: Can you tell us a little about the origins and history of Turkmen textiles?
A: The works on display were made by the Turkmen people who live in western Central Asia. Today most of them are concentrated in the former Soviet republic of Turkmenistan, but there are Turkmen people living in northern Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and northeastern Iran... [more]
Posted by: Andrew Fox | December 13 at 5:45:52 PM
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Listed under: de Young News | Exhibitions
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Beyond the Exhibition: Marie-Antoinette’s Decorative Arts in FAMSF Permanent Collection
Look for decorative arts that embody Marie-Antoinette’s style at the Legion of Honor even after the special exhibition Marie-Antoinette and the Petit Trianon at Versailles closes on February 17, 2008. The Museum’s encyclopedic permanent collections of decorative arts contain several excellent examples of Marie-Antoinette’s personal taste. Highlights of the collections, such as the sofa (canapé à la turque) from 1779 and the gilt bronze and marble mantel clock, ca. 1780, are featured in the special exhibition.
The exquisite sofa (canapé à la turque), which was created in 1779 as part of a suite for Marie-Antoinette’s private study, is part of the Legion’s permanent collection. The royal furniture designer, Jacques Gondoin, designed this light colored sofa, carved with massed heads of flowers, one of the queen’s favorite motifs. Although the 90-inch sofa was actually too long for the queen’s private study, it was probably used elsewhere in her private apartments. Marie-Antoinette also owned a version of the mantel clock, ca. 1780, in the Legion’s permanent collection. Designed by clockmaker Michel-Pierre Barancourt, the gilt bronze and marble clock depicts a woman and Cupid. The two figures are mourning over a dead bird that lies on the altar between them. Both the sofa (canapé à la turque), and mantel clock are regularly displayed in Gallery 11 at the Legion of Honor... [more]
Posted by: | December 13 at 5:32:26 PM
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Listed under: Legion of Honor News | Exhibitions
