The rarest of Italian porcelains, ceramics, wax, terra cotta and plaster pieces, which once graced the palaces and premiere estates of Europe, can now be viewed in an exhibit at The Italian Cultural Institute of New York. The exhibit, entitled Richard-Ginori 1737 - 1937, was curated by Renato Miracco, who took the helm of the Italian Cultural Institute as its Director in November 2007, Olivia Rucellai from Museo di Doccia and Roberto Giovanelli, new President of Museo di Doccia. The exhibition design is by architect Antonio P.Saracino, hailed by "Art News" magazine as a trendsetter for the year 2007. These extraordinarily rare pieces were produced over the last 300 years by Richard-Ginori, Italy's leading creator of porcelains and one of the oldest manufacturers of such ceramics in Europe. This collection of rare Florentine objects has never before left Italy, only recently making a first ever appearance in the United States, beginning the inaugural leg of a U.S. tour this past December in Washington, D.C.
"For hundreds of years Italy's ceramics and porcelains have set the standard for style, design and culture among the aristocratic classes throughout Europe," explained Dr. Miracco, the exhibit's curator. He added, "Now we hope that by sharing these truly exceptional and rare pieces, we can open a new window on the past to a younger generation by sharing the pleasures and influence of these extraordinary designs."
The exhibit is vast, some 160 pieces, and diverse, featuring cultural and functional objects such as teapots, vases, ice-cream holders, pieces for the dining table, the bathroom, lamps, candlesticks, figurines and even soap dishes dating from the first pieces of the 18th century to the 1937 designs by Gio` Ponti . The pieces, which will be on display in New York from February 20 through March 18, are in the second stop of a year-long exhibition that will include Boston, Chicago and several other cities in the United States, at the end of which they will return to their permanent home in the oldest factory museum in Italy, the Manifattura di Doccia Museum located near Florence.
The Richard-Ginori company was founded by Marchese Carlo Ginori in 1735. It produced pieces of rare beauty for their design elements and outstanding craftsmanship. These hand painted pieces benefited from the wealth of student painters in Italy who found steady work finishing these pieces destined to grace the homes of Europe's wealthiest families, ruling classes, and various monarchies. These unique pieces were noted for the expression of Italian artistry, landscape and culture which were prominent features of their designs. In 1864 the idea of organizing, documenting and preserving the story of the Manufactory was realized by Lorenzo Ginori Lisci and the factory museum was established. Shortly thereafter, in 1896, Ginori merged with the Milanese Ceramic Company (Richard) and Richard-Ginori was born.
The exhibit is free of charge and open to the public weekdays, Monday to Friday, from 10am to 4pm and on Saturday March 15 and Sunday March 16 from 11am to 5pm. The Institute is located at 686 Park Avenue between 68th and 69th Streets. For information call 212-879-4242 ext 330 or online at www.iicnewyork.esteri.it/IIC_Newyork.
Listings Release for The Italian Cultural Institute of New York
Beginning Thursday, February 21, 2008 and concluding Tuesday, March 18, 2008, The rarest of Italian porcelains, ceramics, wax, terra cotta and plaster pieces, which once graced the palaces and premiere estates of Europe, can now be viewed in an exhibit at The Italian Cultural Institute of New York. The exhibit, entitled Richard-Ginori 1737 – 1937 comprises some 160 pieces of cultural and functional objects such as teapots, vases, ice-cream holders, lamps, candlesticks, figurines and even soap dishes. These extraordinarily rare pieces were produced over the last 300 years by Richard-Ginori, Italy's leading creator of porcelains and one of the oldest manufacturers of such ceramics in Europe. This collection of rare Florentine objects has never before left Italy, only recently making a first ever appearance in the United States, beginning the first leg of a year-long U.S. tour in Washington D.C. The exhibit is curated by Renato Miracco, who took the helm of the Italian Cultural Institute as its Director in December 2007, Olivia Rucellai from Museo di Doccia and Roberto Giovanelli, new President of Museo di Doccia. The exhibition design is by architect Antonio P. Saracino, hailed by Art News magazine as a trendsetter for the year 2007. The month-long exhibit is free of charge and open to the public weekdays, Monday to Friday, from 10am to 4pm, and Saturday March 15 and Sunday March 16 from 11am to 5pm. The Institute is located at 686 Park Avenue between 68th and 69th Streets. For information call 212-879-4242 Ext. 330 or online at www.iicnewyork.esteri.it/IIC_Newyork
Pictures for this story
