The Noritake Art Deco Porcelains

‘Tis the season to be jolly… and to shop. So as the jolly shopper that I am, I am thrilled to pass along a few of the unique items in our own ArtsWestchester gallery gift shop. This week, we are featuring five vintage pieces from the Noritake lusterware collection of Drs. Judith and Martin Schwartz. These have been donated to ArtsWestchester and are on display in the gallery gift shop. The prices are also unbelievable, ranging from $35 to $75. They are stunning. And, they are not available online.

If anyone knows the importance of these pieces, it would be Dr. Judith Schwartz.  She is a Professor Emerita of Art and Art Education at New York University, a critic, curator, and author of national and international articles on contemporary craft issues. Dr. Schwartz describes the vintage pieces: “These examples of lusterware were made between 1926 and 1931. The designs were created on West 23rd Street in Manhattan, shipped to Japan as color drawings and then hand painted onto bisque porcelain bodies, fired, and finally exported back to the United States.”

“What makes these items so alluring are their exaggerated motifs, use of asymmetry of design, exquisite craftsmanship, quality of materials in both the porcelain and the glaze, and their rich color tones—all at work to exude a vibrancy of spirit typical of the age. To many Americans across the country, these porcelains represented the excitement and allure of New York and Paris during this period of the ‘roaring twenties.’ Unfortunately, the depression put an end to this lively expression and by 1931, it had largely disappeared.”

Full disclosure, Dr. Judith Schwartz is a member of the ArtsWestchester board of trustees and we could not be happier that all proceeds from this gift can be used in support of the diverse art activities of ArtsWestchester. Stay tuned as there are only five Noritake Porcelains left.

The Shop at ArtsWestchester is open during regular gallery hours: Tues-Fri: 12-5pm, Sat: 12-6pm.