Description:
Copper tray with an etched and incised, trailing hops vines, leaves, and flowers, which was made by Madeline Yale Wynne (1847-1918) and marked "M.Y.W." on the reverse. This dish was exhibited at the First Deerfield Arts and Crafts exhibition in the Village Room, 1899. In a photo by Frances and Mary Allen, Wynne's dish is displayed on a brick fireplace mantle (far right) with two other pieces of hammered copper. A card nearby reads: "Exhibit A/ Madeline Yale Wynne." Original Allen Sisters photo is in the collection of the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association. As a young girl, Madeline Yale Wynne learned metalworking techniques from her father, Linus Yale, Jr., owner and inventor of the Yale Lock Company in Shelburne Falls, Mass. While most late 19th-century women deemed this craft unfeminine, Wynne defended her choice stating, “metal is just like dough after it has been subjected to heat. Of course this heat feature staggers many women, but there is no reason why a woman shouldn't do anything in the way of metal work without losing any of her dignity.” After her divorce, Wynne devoted herself to artistic production as a creative outlet and a means of support; she studied painting in 1877 at the recently founded School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and later at the Art Students League in NYC. By the fall of 1883, she became interested in etching copper and brass; examples of her work such as this tray are extremely rare (see also Wynne's silver spoon, HD 89.022). Although handwork in metal, enamel, and jewelry was Madeline Yale Wynne's specialty, she also excelled as a writer, painter, watercolorist, and her interest in crafts included furniture, leather, needlework, pyrography, and basketry. These diverse interests resulted in Wynne becoming an influential and organizing force in the founding of the Chicago Arts and Crafts Society in 1897, and the Deerfield Society of Blue-and-White Needlework in 1896 and the Deerfield Society of Arts and Crafts in 1899. In 1885, Madelaine Yale Wynne and her long-term companion, Annie C. Putnam (d.1924), a Boston art critic, purchased and restored the Barnard-Willard house, which they called "The Manse" (the house opposite the Brick Church in Deerfield), where in the adjoining barn Wynn forged jewelry and metalwork. From 1890-1915, Putnam owned the "Little Brown House," which was remodeled for use as an open studio and social gatherings.
Label Text:
Tray, Madeline Yale Wynne (1847-1918), Deerfield, Massachusetts, 1883-1905. Marked on reverse, “MYW” Etched and incised copper. Gift of Susan Flaccus, 1997.63.1 Madeline Yale Wynne had a special affinity for metalworking, using hand hammering as well as inlay and acid etching techniques. While most late 19th-century women deemed this craft unfeminine, Wynne defended her choice stating, “metal is just like dough after it has been subjected to heat. Of course this heat feature staggers many women, but there is no reason why a woman shouldn't do anything in the way of metal work without losing any of her dignity.” Decorated with trailing hops vines, leaves, and flowers, this tray has a distinctly Asian feel.
Tags:
plants; leaves; flowers Link to share this object record:
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