(1) The Bride Elect—Gifts from the 1905 Wedding of Elizabeth Morse Genius
When Elizabeth Owens Morse married Richard Millard Genius in Chicago in 1905, she maintained a gift record book entitled “The Bride Elect.” The more than 250 gifts she documented—ranging from her grandmother’s spoons to fashionable blown-glass vases from Tiffany Studios—provide insight into the gift-giving traditions of the time, especially the kinds of gifts that wealthy consumers deemed worthy of a prominent Chicago bride. At the turn of the 20th century, Tiffany art glass and Rookwood art pottery were available at exclusive shops and department stores such as Marshall Field & Co. Elizabeth displayed these objects throughout her new home, the Morse family mansion in the affluent district of Kenwood that was a present from her father. The exhibition includes large prints of black-and-white archival photographs of the home interiors showing how Elizabeth placed her wedding gifts.
(2) Selections from the Harry C. Sigman Gift of European and American Decorative Art
In 2014, Harry C. Sigman, an eminent Los Angeles attorney and noted collector, gave the Morse a portion of his collection of art glass, pottery, metalwork, and furniture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The material, primarily European, encompasses 26 artists, several of whom were not yet represented in the museum’s collection. The preview exhibit opening February 10 includes works by French designer Emile Gallé and French glassmaker Daum Frères & Cie, as well as metalwork commissioned and sold through the prestigious London retailer Liberty & Co. and other objects. These works provide context for understanding the design reform zeal of the era—manifested through the Art Nouveau style as well as the Arts and Crafts and the Aesthetic movements—that was international in scope and influence. Though comprised mainly of Jeannette and Hugh McKean’s massive gift, the Morse collection has always been supported by generous individuals such as Harry C. Sigman whose contributions have helped it to grow in important ways.
The Morse Museum, home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, is located at 445 N. Park Avenue. Through April, the museum’s hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday; 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Regular admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $1 for students, and free for children younger than age 12. All visitors are admitted free from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, November through April. For more information, call (407) 645-5311 or visit www.morsemuseum.org.