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May 2020 - Antique Shoppe - 3
“H” is for her heart of purest gold, “E” is for her eyes, with lovelight shining,

Heading the roster of desirable mid-century Every ceramic designer had signature traits. Betty Lou Nichols, best-
Madonnas are four by Ceramic Arts known for her lady head vases, specialized in figurines with lush,
Studio, each vastly different, and each by black, three-dimensional eyelashes, and bright pink cupid’s-bow lips.
principal designer Betty Harrington. These even show up, somewhat unsettlingly, on her Madonna planter.
“Madonna with Halo”, dating from Hermione’s trademark: hair fashioned of actual wire, which pops out
the early 1940s, is a traditional, from under the Madonna’s veil. Hedi Schoop used minimal detail for
popular-religious-art depiction: the maximum effect: only the barest outlines convey the prayerful demeanor
Madonna with folded hands and of her blue-robed, triangular standing Madonna. Howard Pierce went
downcast eyes, in robes of pristine one step further. His best-known Madonna figurines are essentially
white, or royal blue and red. abstract interpretations, with spare, curving lines suggesting the Mother
1950’s “Our Lady of Fatima” was and Child.
based on descriptions of a religious
vision, while 1953’s ethereal “R” means right, and right
“Madonna with Child” uses she’ll always be,
swirling lines to great effect. The
final CAS Madonna, 1955’s Madonna Regardless of the designer,
with Bible, is also the simplest, with or your own religious
incised lines preferences, ceramic
and a sandstone glaze. That starkly modern Madonnas make
look was more than just a design choice: in a pleasantly
the waning days of the Studio, a figurine which peaceful
did not require decoration by hand was much less costly to produce. display, just
right for
Ceramic Arts Studio was noted for its attention to detail. Mother’s Day.
To ensure accuracy, Betty Harrington always presented Group them
her religious designs to the nuns at a nearby convent. together, to
With their seal of approval, the figurine was a “go”. highlight their
variety. Or, showcase
a single Madonna,
surrounded by fresh
flowers, in a celebration
of spring. You may even
want to get one for Mom
(who will, as always, thank
you effusively).

Put them all together,
they spell “MOTHER”,
A word that means the
world to me!

Moms. Where would we be
without them? Well, obviously,
not here!
Thanks for everything—and
Happy Mother’s Day!

Lyrics to “M-O-T-H-E-R
(A Word That Means To
World To Me), by
Howard Johnson,
copyright 1915.

Photo Associate: Hank Kuhlmann
Donald-Brian Johnson is the co-author of numerous books on design and
Top: Ceramic Arts Studio’s “Madonna collectibles, including “Postwar Pop”, a collection of his columns. Please address
and Child”, described in the CAS catalog as inquiries to: donaldbrian@msn.com
“serenity in ceramics”. 6” h., $150-175.
ABOVE: The Madonna’s hands encircle the
flower opening on this Hermione head vase, SHOWN ABOVE: MCJ 18: Standing Italian Madonna, $50-75.
which features the Hermione trademark: LEFT: An unusual triangular Madonna by Hedi Schoop. 9-1/2” h., $200-225.
wire hair. 5-3/4” h., $175-200.