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“Frida Kahlo: Through The Lens Of Nickolas Muray” Reading Public Museum Presents Unique Exhibit
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2020 • VOL. 51, NO. 47
Spicing Things Up: Novelty Salt & Peppers Smack Dab In The Middle: Design Trends Of The Mid-20th Century By Donald-Brian Johnson Although salt-and-pepper shakers seem to have been with us forever, it wasn’t until the late 1800s that these whatwould-we-do-without-them conveniences became a reality. The reason? With just the slightest change in humidity, salt “caked,” and the resulting lumpiness made it unworkable Coffee or tea, a kitchen-themed S & P duo, with label in a shaker. Home remedies, “Souvenir of Hutchinson, Kansas.” such as grains of rice mixed with the salt, helped relieve some of the clumping. Various patents were also issued for shakers with interior agitators, designed to break up the salt and restore it to a sprinkling consistency. But the real breakthrough came with the development of a moisture absorber applied to the salt itself, keeping it dry and shakable. While various firms claimed credit for this brainstorm, certainly the best known was the Morton Salt Company. Joy Morton patented a workable refinement of the moisture-absorbing concept in 1911. Morton’s yellow- The blue phone salt-and-pepper pair, with souvenir skirted umbrella girl still decal, “Floating Bridge — Seattle.” adorns each box, accompanied by a slogan that means what it says, his capering monkey, for instance). Shapes ran the gamut from the to“When it rains, it pours.” At last, no more “open salts” be-expected (grinning animals, frisky elbowing their messy way onto din- kitchen utensils) to the unlikely (TV ing tables. Now, homemakers could sets, toasters, even umbrella stands). choose from a plentiful pantry of Salt-and-peppers were available in a salt-and-peppers, the designs rang- multitude of media and a rainbow of ing from the staid to the whimsical. colors. There were shakers of porceThere were, of course, traditional lain, wood, plastic, bone, composiside-by-side shakers in metal or tion, chalk, and even cardboard (the glass, their urn-like shapes well-suit- last not known for its durability). ed to formal dining. But for fun- Ceramic proved an ideal medium, lovers in search of novelty, there since it lent itself to imaginative were plenty of options. Shaker “nod- shaping and decoration. More ders” bobbed at the touch of a finger. importantly, ceramic shakers kept “Nesters” paired a larger shaker with the seasonings inside at their a smaller one (an organ grinder with freshest. The heyday of novelty shaker production ran from the mid-1920s well into the 1960s. Prior to World War II, most shakers were imported from Japan and Germany. With those imports banned during the war, American firms called on their own ingenuity to satisfy consumer demand. Some, such as “The California Cleminsons,” already specialized in useTick tock. A wooden “clock” pair, with the reverse marking fully-homey ceramic items “Hollywood, California.” Continued on page 2
The Reading Public Museum in Reading, Pa., is pleased to present “Frida Kahlo: Through the Lens of Nickolas Muray,” an exhibition of photographs of Frida Kahlo, on view from Nov. 14 through Jan. 18, 2021. This exhibition provides an intimate look at Frida Kahlo, Mexico’s most prolific and well-known female artist, through the photographic lens of her longtime friend and lover, Nickolas Muray. In May 1931, photographer Nickolas Muray (1892-1965) traveled to Mexico on vacation, where he met Frida Kahlo (190754), a woman he would never forget. The two started a romance that continued on and Nickolas Muray’s “Frida with Magenta Rebozo,” New off for the next 10 years and a York, 1939, is a digital pigment print on Hahnemuhle friendship that lasted until her photo rag paper, courtesy Nickolas Muray Photo death in 1954. Approximately 50 Archive. photographic portraits taken by Nickolas Muray of Frida Kahlo com- she shared a close friendship. Born in Hungary, Nickolas prise the exhibition “Frida Kahlo: Through the Lens of Nickolas Muray.” Muray became a successful New The photographs, dating from 1937 to York fashion and commercial pho1946, explore Muray’s unique per- tographer known for his portraits of spective; in the 1930s and 1940s he celebrities, politicians, socialites was Frida Kahlo’s friend, lover and and artists. Having experimented confidant. Muray’s photographs with color in his work from early on, bring to light Kahlo’s deep interest in he found his most colorful model in her Mexican heritage, her life and the Frida Kahlo. Muray was a prolific Continued on page 4 people significant to her with whom
Mike Ivankovich Has Zoom Programs Booked In Six States And Growing
AAN Current News
Eclectic Collections Produce Strong Prices At JSE & Associates on page 2
Virtual Appraisal Programs And Other Topics Offered Mike Ivankovich, auctioneer, appraiser, home downsizing consultant, and host of Philadelphia’s “What’s It Worth” Radio Show, is now offering a wide variety of Zoom programs all across the U.S. With so many libraries still closed or offering limited services and with so many clubs, groups and organizations unable to meet in person due to the pandemic, Ivankovich’s Zoom programs are an ideal way for groups to enjoy interesting and informative programs virtually. Ivankovich’s most popular program is his “What’s It Worth” Appraisal Program, where each attendee has their treasures aappraised while remaining in the comfort and safety of their home. Just a few of the other Zoom programs offered include “Your Children Don’t Want It. What Can You Do?,” “25 Items That Will Most L i k e l y Disappoint You When Selling,”
and “Going, Going Gone - Let’s Have an Auction,” which can be tailored to be either just for fun or as a fundraising event. Other programs focus on antiques and collectibles, moving and home downsizing, while still other programs are designed to provide just plain and simple fun. Ivankovich now has programs booked in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and the beauty of Zoom is he can book programs anywhere in the country. Details can be found at www.MichaelivankovichMEETING SPEAKER.com or by calling 215-264-4304.
Fayetteville Antique And Craft Mall To Host 10 Days Of Black Friday on page 8
Metropolitan Museum Of Art Announces Discovery Of Missing Painting By Iconic American Modernist Jacob Lawrence on page 11
In This Issue SHOPS, SHOWS & MARKETS . . . . . . . . . . starting on page 3 SHOPS DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . on page 5 EVENT & AUCTION CALENDAR . on page 7 AUCTION SALE BILLS . . . starting on page 6
FEATURED AUCTION RESULTS: Jeffrey S. Evans and Associates Fine and Decorative Arts Auction - Oct. 16 and 17 - Page 2
AUCTIONEER DIRECTORY . . . . . on page 7 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . on page 11