For any number of reasons 2020 will not be remembered fondly by most people. The mass death toll brought on by the COVID-19 virus worldwide, a divisive election in the United States, unprecedented unemployment and poverty and the world on fire in an ecological environmental disaster in progress are but a few of the major events that have plagued us in the past twelve months. But 2020 will also be remembered by the majolica collector’s community for two other smaller events, closer to home: the postponement of the Bard College’s eagerly awaited Majolica Mania exhibition and the death of one of the founders of the Majolica International Society, Joan Stacke Graham.
Mrs. Graham’s passing this past March brought to an end an era in which majolica that had laid in dusty basements of museums and attics for a century, was finally brought to the light of day. Along with Dr. Marilyn Karmason, Joan authored a large, colorful book, MAJOLICA: A Complete History and Illustrated Survey, that made museums and the pottery community take serious notice of this long ignored innovation of the 19th century. She was an eager advocate for majolica’s recognition among pottery groups and museum collections and she tirelessly worked to benefit the collection community in joining the founding of both the MIS and the Karmason Photo Library for the benefit of scholars in the field. Her absence leaves a hole in the hearts of her family, friends and majolica collectors everywhere but their consolation lies in the great work she left and the glorious pottery she helped resurrect from the dust bin. Hers was a life well lived.
The second major upset for collectors in 2020 was in the delay of the long awaited Majolica Mania exhibition jointly sponsored by the Bard Graduate Center and the Walters Museum of Art in Baltimore. Originally scheduled to open in the summer of 2020 in Baltimore the show was postponed by the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 virus. It is now scheduled to open on September 24, 2021 at the Bard Center then move to the Walter's Art Museum in March 2022. This will be the first comprehensive review of majolica on both sides of the Atlantic in the past 40 years with an advertised group of 350 exhibition examples. It will be accompanied by a liberally illustrated three volume catalog, Majolica Mania: Transatlantic Pottery in England and the United States available for purchase from the Bard Center or from Amazon in January 2021. For an overview of the show go here.
For collectors everywhere the year has provided no change in the lack of interest of our antiques past. As it has for the past several years the adage “if it’s brown it’s down” remains in full force among designers. Fabulous antique furniture beautifully crafted in exotic woods is bringing a tiny fraction of what it sold for fifteen years ago. Antiques older than mid-century modern are being completely ignored by younger people. Decorators who cater to high end clients have no interest in the beautiful things that adorned their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents homes. Glass, metal, and plastic are the current objects of desire with neutral walls, monochrome fittings and austerity all the rage. Of course that leaves no room for majolica with its bright colors and busy design. Once again, after forty years back in fashion, majolica is out of public favor. It's a sad state of affairs for collectors who find their collections worth less than what they were before the 2008 economic crash but all antiques go through cycles so it shouldn't surprise. Like everything tastes change and the old will become new again in time.
With over one and a half million people dead worldwide because of the COVID-19 virus the impact on everyday life has been dramatic. Naturally this has had a serious impact on all aspects of contemporary life. Among these is how it has affected retail sales of all kind. Bankruptcy has been the common denominator between large worldwide conglomerates and neighborhood family run businesses. Needless to say the impact on the antiques community has been equally powerful. Many antiques stores have closed permanently and antique shows cancelled causing great hardship to dealers and sellers. Online sales have increased for auctioneers and retailers savvy enough to make their inventory available to e-buyers. It's been a small light in the darkness of an otherwise dismal retail climate of 2020.
2020 also marked the introduction of the Majolica Collectors Community Group on Facebook where collectors, dealers and novices could come together and post photos and ideas about their shared interest. It's proven to be an excellent sounding board where shared information can enlighten all members interested enough to join.
So wiser and ever more worn we draw the year to an end. The COVID-19 vaccine and a new Presidential administration bring hope for a better new year. Styles change with the wind so the austerity of today's designs may yet change to bring antiques and majolica back into fashion. Retail sales are certain to improve. In any event enthusiasts will "beat boats against the current," in the words of F. Scott Fitzgerald, and continue to joyfully collect the marvelous, gaudy antique pottery we call majolica.
We bid you farewell 2020, and give you the goodbye that you so richly deserve.
