Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article
Historic Treasure of the Week -
May 5, 2002
by Barbara Carney
Vigo County Historical Society
Hand-painted pitcher, vase latest treasures
A short time ago, Bill Foreacker of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology arrived at the Vigo County Historical Museum carrying two bulky packages.
They were securely wrapped in paper, a cup up foam mattress and an abundance of tape. While making calls, he visited Richard Powell, a Terre Haute native and Rose graduate, now living in Lutherville, Md. Powell asked him to deliver two pieces of hand-painted china.
We then proceeded to unwrap an imposing pitcher and exquisite vase, both decorated by Powell’s mother, Grace Alder Powell.
The lemonade pitcher is marked “J.P.L., France,” signifying Limoges and signed G. Alder, 1906. It is 6 inches in height, decorated with berries ranging from deep burgundy to pale rose.
The overall background consists of subtle blue-green shading. Gold beading gives the prominent handle a distinctive look.
Limoges, a French city about 250 miles southwest of Paris, is noted for its production of china. Their porcelain production was at its peak during the turn of the century.
In addition to its many decorating factories, blanks or undecorated white ware were produced and made available for purchase. Both of Grace Alder’s pieces were originally white ware which was imported from France to mail order houses or china painting factories in the United States.
In 1912, in Chicago alone, there were 49 known decorating studios and by 1916, that number had increased to 102.
Delicate flowers in tones of violet on an ivory background made the 17-inch vase a piece that would have been an elegant addition to any Victorian parlor. Ornate gold handles create a look of grandeur.
The base of the vase is unmarked, however the crackling in the porcelain leads us to believe it’s not Limoges.
Richard Powell related that his mother. whose girlhood home was at 1406 S. Third St., probably painted these objects of art while a student at Coates College for Women. During the early 1900s china painting was a popular pastime among young women and was evidence of their artistic abilities. These lovely new acquisitions have been placed in the second floor Victorian parlor where they are sure to be admired by museum visitors.
The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The Web site: http://web.indstate.edu/community/vchs.