A STAFFORDSHIRE SLIPWARE SMALL MUG

In the rarified world of art and museums the simple but enormously satisfying pleasure of collecting and living with antiques is often overlooked. The collection asembled by Marie A. Creem over many decades is an intimate and comfortable one, refleting her varied personal interests and taste. An ardent traveller, Marie Creem set foot upon every continent, including Antarctica. Her intellectual and aesthetic interests were also pursued through active participation in the American Association of University Women, the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and the American Ceramics Circle, among others. Her choice of objects and art to live with were mostly small-scale pieces that could be held, examined and appreciated up close. English 17th, 18th and early 19th century ceramics, needlework pictures and boxes, small brass objects and treenware filled the shelves and tabletops of her cozy 18th century Plandome, Long Island, New York home. Among the small but choice group of English needlework is a stunning and remarkably preserved Charles II stumpwork casket together with its oyster-veneered olivewood carrying case. Purchased from the Rous Lench Collection, this piece had been exhibited in Christie's Great Rooms during the 1932 B.A.D.A. Art Treasures Exhibition. Her ceramics collection is a focused study in mid 18th and early 19th century English saltglaze, creamware and pearlware. Notable within this group are several fine documentary wares. One charming example is a dated loving cup, evocative of an age of gift giving, preserving the everlasting sentiment of the 1762 giver. The American and English furniture she acquired was all intended for daily use and had to be practical as well as appropriate to period and style. With a deft hand, Mrs. Creem combined a wide spectrum of objects in terms of medium and style: 17th century and 19th century; high style and country. It was merit and appeal of the individual piece that mattered most. Several pieces with local Long Island histories of ownership had particular appeal including a kas owned by the Onderdonck family of Manhasset and a high post bedstead with original blue paint descended in the Carll family of Huntington. The collection assembled by Marie Creem expresses her appreciation of quality, beauty and elegance.

Details

A STAFFORDSHIRE SLIPWARE SMALL MUG
CIRCA 1700

With flat loop handle and brown slip dots between lines, small chips
2 5/8in. (6.7cm.) high

Lot Essay

Cf. The Jean and Kenneth Chorley Collection, Christie's New York, January 25, 1993, lot 160 for a cup with similar decoration