Look to the East: Decorative Arts and Orientalism, 1870–1920
William Frend De Morgan, “Peacocks” Charger, c. 1880, earthenware with luster glaze, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, bequest of Mary Beth Baird, and the Arch and Stella Rowan Foundation, Inc., Mr. and Mrs. John W. Mecom, Jr., Mrs. Albert Bel Fay, Stanley Ward, the Sealy Family Trust, and Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Wolf, all by exchange.
Herter Brothers, Side Chair, c. 1877–78, ebonized cherry, maple, satinwood, and gilt, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Museum purchase funded by the Stella H. and Arch S. Rowan Foundation, Inc.
Julia Munson, Tiffany Glass & Decorating Company, Vase, 1898–1902, enamel on copper, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, gift of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Mecom, Jr.
Etablissement Gallé, Elephant Vase, 1918–31, glass, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, gift of J. Brian and Varina Eby.
Tiffany Glass & Decorating Company, Vase, 1896, glass, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, gift of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Mecom, Jr.
J. & J. G. Low Art Tile Works, Shelf Clock, c. 1884, brass and earthenware, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Museum purchase funded by Dr. and Mrs. John R. Kelsey, Jr.
Joseph-Théodore Deck, Vase, c. 1880, earthenware, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Museum purchase funded by the Museum Collectors.
Lockwood de Forest, Chair, c. 1885, teak with upholstery, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Museum purchase funded by the Mary Kathryn Lynch Kurtz Charitable Lead Trust Fund.
40 works highlight Orientalist design in American and European decorative arts
Title
Look to the East: Decorative Arts and Orientalism, 1870–1920
Dates
June 25–October 23, 2016
Overview
This exhibition explores the cultures of “the East” or “the Orient”—including North Africa, the Middle East, India, China, and Japan—and their influence on Western artists and designers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Look to the East: Decorative Arts and Orientalism, 1870–1920 features more than 40 works showcasing exotic forms, materials, techniques, and ornament in a selection of American and European decorative arts from the Museum’s collection. Moorish-style ceramics, Indian “Paisley” shawls, Japoniste silver, and Chinese-inspired bamboo furniture are just some of the elegant objects on display.
The exhibition is on view from June 25 to October 23, 2016.
Location
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Alice Pratt Brown Gallery
The Caroline Wiess Law Building
1001 Bissonnet Street
Organization
This exhibition is organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
Media Contact
Sarah Baker, associate publicist
sbaker@mfah.org / 713.800.5345