John Bennett, Charger, 1877

When One Thing Leads to Another: My Collecting Journey

From the earliest days of gathering feathers, rocks, and shells, my passion for collecting has evolved into an insatiable quest for the most exquisite examples of design from various periods. As an adult collector, I sought out notable collectors, people, and books to deepen my curiosity and knowledge. Acquiring knowledge objects keeps me waking up every day. Always focused, I never jumped in blindly, choosing instead to purchase the best that I could afford. Often, I will wait until I can truly afford the best, ensuring my collection is built on quality and informed decisions. When not purchasing, I spend my time deepening my knowledge.

An insatiable reader and question-asker, I often feel like a child seeking answers to so many topics. The journey to purchase is just as—if not more—important than the acquisition. Often, I am left to chew on the newfound knowledge over handling the actual pieces, and this is quite alright for me! I have the arms for the next fight in the auction room.

The Pewabic Piece or, as I call it, “The Peanut Butter and Jelly Vase”: My Leap of Faith

In the early days, I stumbled upon a large and significant piece of Pewabic pottery coming out of a long-standing collection. At just 23 years old, I recognized its importance and feared it would disappear into another collection for decades before I could realistically afford to purchase it. I bid well beyond my means—akin to the cost of an economy car at the time. When the hammer dropped, I felt both thrilled and terrified—how would I come up with the money?

With a student credit card limit and funds tied up in a house, I had to get creative. Borrowing money from my brother and a friend, I managed to secure the funds. My brother asked no questions, but my friend, coming from a family with a significant collection in Michigan, was bewildered by my purchase. She could not fathom I was spending that kind of money without a family TRUST! Despite the financial strain, I paid them back and ended up with a treasure that became a cornerstone of my ceramics collection. Twenty-seven years later, I still feel it was worth the macaroni and peanut butter sandwiches for weeks—well, months…

A Lifetime of Pursuit

Purchasing objects far beyond my means was my jam for many years. This scenario played out many times as I pursued furniture, ceramics, lighting, and other decorative objects. My well-informed approach meant that all monies invested were solid. Nowadays, I can afford the biggest chases—within reason—and it remains an exhilarating pursuit.

Christopher Dresser, Jardiniere Decorated in Imitation of Cloisonne with Beetles and Butterflies, Minton & Co, 1867

Christopher Dresser, Moon flask with Islamicizing floral motifs, Minton & Co, 1872

Aesthetic Movement influenced formal dining room

Henry Treffry Dunn, Dante Gabriel Rossetti; Theodore Watts-Dunton, 1882

The Allure of the Aesthetic Movement

My love for the American Arts and Crafts Movement has expanded to include the British and Scottish movements, as well as Bauhaus, Secessionist, Nouveau, and the Aesthetic Movement. Always and currently, my passions have taken deep root in the Aesthetic Movement. This period in Victoriana exalted nature and beauty. The Aesthetic Movement, with its mantra of “art for art’s sake” and focus on beauty, resonates deeply with me. As I have written in past articles, my soul connects with this period. The 1860s–1890s have such resonance with my spirit. I can almost smell the smells of these homes and feel the ghost-like memories of the fabrics on my skin. The glint of the sun on a brass plant stand or chirble of a finch takes me back somewhere that I physically have never been—but recall as if I have lived that moment many times over.

The robust interiors of English country homes were adorned with William Morris fabrics, bamboo furniture, and paintings by Rossetti and Sargent, alongside a myriad of decorative arts and lighting.

William Morris, 19th-century British designer, writer, and social activist who revolutionized decorative arts through the Arts and Crafts movement, blending beauty, nature, and craftsmanship with a strong belief in art’s role in everyday life.

The machine age and industrialization may have advanced society, but they came at a cost to artists, design, and art. The Aesthetic Movement sought to refocus on beauty, creating art that drew from the natural world to counter machine-made goods. These interiors, festooned with layers of artistry and object, are enough to kill a minimalist. For me—and many others—the feeling of a collected interior hugs the soul.

Borsig's factory at Moabit, 1880s

Predecessors to the Nouveau and Arts and Crafts movements, these artists crafted objects, paintings, and furniture that are celebrated today.

Finding Value in the Less Trendy Past

While many chase mid-century design trends, I sought treasures overlooked by designers chasing current fads. The interiors and objects from these movements, though out of fashion, retain their inherent beauty and magic. In contrast to “fast fashion” interiors, which quickly become outdated, the designs of Christopher Dresser and other titans maintain their value—even after a century.

19th C. Aesthetic Movement Bamboo Cabinet

Christopher Dresser, prominent figure in 19th century design

My Favorite Designers and Pieces

I am particularly fond of Christopher Dresser-designed Minton pieces, drawn to their bright aqua ceramics and regimented patterns. These pieces, when collected and assembled, are divine—small opuses to a stylized natural world in jewel tones and refinement only the English can achieve.

I have a copy of The Brass Menagerie, which showcases exquisite brass examples used extensively in lighting and decorative objects during the Aesthetic Movement era. I recently purchased a pair of candelabras with rock crystal from a notable collection. This pair sat side by side for decades, standing proudly in an interior that would make angels cry. Now, they sit upon a shelf in our home, awaiting the perfect situation. They will be with me until I “hop the twig.” Certain objects in my home become intrinsically connected to my being. These are the pieces that will travel with me on my journey through life.

The Minton Company, Ault, and Linthrop Pottery are also favorites, known for their use of natural motifs and Japonisme influences. Linthrop’s collaboration with Christopher Dresser produced ceramics featuring comical grotesques, sparking spirited bidding wars at auctions.

A Legacy of Beauty in Our Backyard

In the late 1800s, the industrialist Charles Lang Freer built a Shingle-style home in Detroit that housed the famed Peacock Room, now at the Smithsonian. Freer’s home was a must-see, filled with art by Whistler and other greats. Detroit was home to an immense amount of wealth and art-loving patrons as the century turned. Freer’s interiors were operas to the movement—each layered with paintings and decorative arts, collected and assembled to celebrate beauty. His immense fortune allowed him to find and acquire the best gems from the famed artists and collections.

These days, most Americans must travel abroad to see exquisite and complete interiors from this era. English country homes retain large vestiges, preserving the soul and continuum of design. Although many in this country have beautiful shrines to the movement, the true mecca is to be found overseas in these homes. There is a decided difference between a bad Victorian interior and an Aesthetic Movement interior.

The Peacock Room is a work of interior decorative art created by James McNeill Whistler and Thomas Jeckyll. Painted between 1876 and 1877.

The Journey Continues

Exploring the Aesthetic Movement and its designers is like following Alice down the rabbit hole—there is always more to learn and discover. Be sure to take a foray into Japonisme too. Japonisme planted seeds in the minds of many celebrated artists who eventually made marks in the Nouveau and Arts and Crafts movements. Like a giddy child, I get excited when I discover a book or article showing an interior or home that I was unaware of showcasing this style. My perfect rainy day is getting lost in a book or internet search on these topics. I highly suggest that on your next rainy day, you dive into the history and beauty of this movement—Netflix can wait for another time.

Happy discovery and happy hunting! Of course, it’s my opinion that a collected interior is far more interesting—for oneself and for guests—when entertaining. Don’t be squeamish or overthink the idea of adding fascinating pieces from bygone eras to augment your interior! Just don’t get too into the movement! I don’t need more competition at the auctions! Someone local already beat me to two fantastic chests from DuMouchelles this summer—I lost track of time and forgot to up my bid! I honestly thought I was the only one even interested!!

Shop the Look: Vintage Bamboo Table, Aesthetic Movement Budvase, Vintage Bamoo Etagere, Cloisonne Banded Jar