World’s Fair at the Mint Museum Uptown

When we first walked into this new exhibit at the Mint Museum Uptown we had no idea we were about to see the most amazing exhibition of design and artistic workmanship we had yet to witness anywhere. The largest exhibit the Mint has done, expanding to galleries on two floors, is breathtaking. Not just the pieces but the lighting and spacing of the presentation is exquisite. 

Magnificent silk embroidered Japanese screen
so beautiful you have to see this to believe

The very first World’s Fair in London in 1851 was created to attract artisans and craftsmen from around the world to exhibit their works in metalwork, glass and hardwood inlay.

The Tennyson Vase, an example of the fine art of silversmithing,
now in the collection of the Carnegie Museum

The rest of the story lies in the 200 examples of the most extraordinary works of furniture, metalwork, glass, ceramics, textiles, and jewelry produced by leading international artists and firms, some never before seen in the United States.

Baccarat punch bowl, exhibited at the
1867 Paris World's Fair

Tiffany dragonfly lamp, exhibited at the
1900 Paris World's Fair

Tiffany gold collar, studded with diamonds,
fire opals, rubies and other stones,
exhibited at the 1900 Paris World's Fair

It was truly an honor to view and experience a time when artists from all around the world communicated and shared their work without the technology we have today.

French coupes created by
Charles Duron and Valentin Morel

capture the richness of a previous age

Ebony and ivory chair and
footstool from India

Art Nouveau dressing table with mirror

1934 vanity and ottoman by Gilbert Rohde

Glider from Holland

Czech glassware, exhibited at the 1925 Paris World's Fair

The exhibit includes is film of the masses who came from far and wide to enjoy the World’s Fair showing continuously, really not a bad production considering it was made so long ago. It really put me there with the ladies in bustles and parasols scampering off the ships and trains to the horse and buggy ride to the all glass pavilion that was built for the fair. 

Banners depicting  past world fairs hang
from the ceiling over the exhibit

Curator Brian Gallagher, our narrator
and tour guide extraordinare

More treasures from the World's Fairs exhibit:

  

Montana sapphires
and diamonds

A must see for everyone. 

Inventing the Modern World: Decorative Arts at the World's Fairs 1851-1939 will be on exhibit at the Mint Uptown through Jan. 19, 2014. A separate admission fee is required. See www.mintmuseum.org  or call 704-337-2000 for more information.