By Judy Carmack Bross
Co-Chair Laura Werner, Antiquarian President Liz Adams, Co-Chair Cathy Busch
Bertram’s Book Cover recreated as the backdrop to the stage
Have you ever seen a book cover so glorious that you wanted to walk right in? That’s what the Antiquarian Society offered guests, including members, friends and Art Institute of Chicago supporters, at its recent Spring Luncheon when they re-created Aldous Bertram’s Dragon’s and Pagodas: A Celebration of Chinoiserie cover as a backdrop for the British-born now Charleston resident who keynoted the day. “In a tour de force that no one will soon forget, the inimitable Nancy Chase created a floral wonderland and Frost Lighting mounted a fantastic giant LED facsimile of the cover of Aldous Bertram’s book, which framed the entire slide show,” Luncheon Co-Chair Laura Werner described.
Stunning floral arrangement with Pagoda greeted the guests as they arrived
Laurie Bay, Todd Schwebel, Virginia Bobins
Mary Glerum and Lee Thinnes
Co-Chair Cathy Bush related the magic Bertram created:
“There has always been endless fascination in the West with the mysterious Far East, and dragons certainly stir that up! Dragons are both exotic and terrifying images throughout history and today — whether portrayed in Chinese Art or in the mega-hit TV drama, “Game of Thrones”! As for pagodas, there’s a whimsy about their silhouettes that prompts us to marvel at their exoticism and impressive architecture. In Chicago we proudly celebrate Miesian architecture and his “less is more” philosophy, so it’s fun to go off the deep end for the day to embrace the opposite approach with ‘more is more’.”
Laura Werner told us more:
“Kit Maxwell, a good friend of our organization and the Samuel and M. Patricia Grober Curator, Applied Arts of Europe at the Art Institute of Chicago, kindly introduced us to Aldous Bertram, knowing he would make a wonderful speaker and find a receptive audience in the Antiquarian Society. Aldous did not disappoint, bringing his delightful and scholarly presentation to a packed house who reveled in the glorious examples he shared of Chinoiserie across continents and eras. A scholar with a Cambridge Ph.D., an eye for beauty, a charming English accent and a palpable love of the decorative arts made him a wonderful choice for our annual event, and we are indebted to Kit for sensing he would be magical. Everyone in the room went home wondering how they might incorporate a pagoda or two into their home decor or build a charming garden folly in their backyard. It seemed that every new slide he put on the screen elicited nods and smiles as the group was indulged with beautiful objects, furniture, interiors, architecture and landscape elements. What a treat.”
Blue and white Chinese porcelain bowl with fruit, inspired by an image from Aldous’ book.
A towering display of peonies, lilac, and viburnum anchored the stage
Laura Werner continued:
‘While many in the room had not yet had the opportunity to enjoy Aldous’ beautiful book, floral artist Nancy Chase seized the book as inspiration and the floral decor was truly a love letter to the author and the images he chose to highlight in the book. For the place card table Nancy recreated one of the beautiful images in the book, filling an enormous blue and white Chinese porcelain bowl of her own with luscious fruit and delicate blossoms, surrounding it with lyrical tole flowers, and framing it all on a deep blue velvet tablecloth. Opposite the podium, Nancy Chase built a towering display of peonies, lilac and viburnum to anchor the stage. One of the best moments of the day was when the doors to the ballroom opened and our guests saw what great lengths Nancy had gone to create a beautiful and unexpected stage for Mr. Bertram.”
Art historian, artist and author, Bertram has long been captivated by Chinoiserie, a term for western art and design inspired by a largely invested version of China. Marco Polo’s accounts of his 13th century exotic East sparked a fascination with China which reached a fever pitch in the 18th century which continues to this day. Porcelain, color and pattern, flora and fauna, people, architecture, and tropical exoticism as seen in grand summer palaces such as the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, whimsical pagodas including the Chinese House in Potsdam, Germany, and even a tea house in Palm Beach are revealed in Bertram’s beautifully illustrated book.
Speaker Aldous Bertram
“Europeans had a fantasy about Asian things. Because only one or two ships could bring goods out of China and no visitors could go in, Europeans created imagined scenes they really knew nothing about. Monkeys, palm trees, parrots, coral and tropical wonderlands which have nothing to do with Asia and relate to the Dutch trade from the West Indies were added to these fantasies,” Bertram noted. “The Dutch East India company brought translucent porcelain to Europe and it was even more valuable than gold at the beginning.”
Liz Adams, President of the Antiquarians, related its history for our magazine:
“The Antiquarian Society was founded in 1877, originally as the Chicago Society of Decorative Arts, predating the founding of the Art Institute in 1879. The Society played a major role in building the Art Institute’s decorative arts departments, and the Antiquarians’ support of decorative arts acquisitions at the Art Institute continues to this day.
“Among the many acquisitions supported by the Antiquarian Society is the dazzling, 25-foot high, Tiffany stained-glass Hartwell Memorial Window, which is prominently displayed at the top of the Woman’s Board Grand Staircase at the Art Institute.
“As part of its mission to preserve and promote the appreciation of the decorative arts, the Society presents a yearly series of lectures and workshops, bringing curators and scholars from across the globe to speak on a wide range of topics.
“The Spring Luncheon is one of our signature events, and its lecture is always highly anticipated! This year’s Spring Luncheon lecture on chinoiserie by Aldous Bertram was highly informative and entertaining, and very enthusiastically received by the Antiquarians and their guests.
“The Antiquarian Society will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2027, a truly remarkable milestone!
2024 Spring Luncheon Co-Chairs Gabriella Cleveland and Daniel Bender
“The theme of the Spring Luncheon is driven by the speaker’s topic. For the Spring Luncheon we try to select a speaker/topic with broad appeal. Last year’s speaker was Caroline de Guitaut from the Royal Collection Trust in London on the topic of Coronation Jewels and Dress–another blockbuster!
“Comments I’ve heard on this year’s luncheon: Nothing but superlatives! It was a day of beauty, joy, and camaraderie.”
Liz Stiffel
Suzanne McCullagh and Anne Searle Bent
Ginny Noyes, Julia Jackson, Kay Golitz, Curator Liz McGoey
Cathy Busch summed up the opportunity to go inside what is surely one of the most beautiful books of the year and to hear an author who is equally captivating.
“After a long winter, it was a joy to welcome Antiquarians and their guests to the annual luncheon — somewhat of an unofficial launch to spring! Whether Mother Nature cooperates or not, guests are treated to a springtime feast for the senses — the ebullient florals, the spectacular private club enhanced for the occasion, the elegantly presented and scrumptious menu, and the warm conviviality that exists among friends. We come to celebrate the work of the organization, to support our beloved museum home, the Art Institute of Chicago, and to remind ourselves how lucky we are to be part of this community!”
Curator Ellenor Alcorn, Mary Swift, Angela Alvarez
Robin Parsons and Jessica LaGrange
Faye Katt and Clara Williams
Curator Kit Maxwell
“In the end it was a convergence of good fortune – a beautiful spring day, a brilliant speaker, captivating flowers and decor, an enthusiastic and discerning audience, and a venue known for its impeccable service and cuisine. It was just the vision of spring the doctor ordered, ” Laura Werner said.
Laura Werner, Linda Coleman, Rachel Lee
Susan Underwood, Julia Kyle, Genni Hambleton
Libby Cummings and Mary Gordon
Photo Credit: Jessica Tampas
