Poodle, England (Staffordshire), mid-19^th century, earthenware, Gift of Mary Reis Sullivan, John Reis and Richard Reis in memory of their mother Elaine Wormser Reis, 2018.144 

Verbal Description

Hello, my name is Emily Holtrop. I am the director of learning and interpretation at the museum. I will be reading the verbal description for the Poodle in Unlocking an Art Deco Bedroom by Joseph Urban.

Made in Staffordshire, England, the museum’s Poodle is made of earthenware and dates to the mid-19^th century. It was a gift from Mary Reis Sullivan, John Reis, and Richard Reis in memory of their mother, Elaine Wormser Reis. The accession number is 2018.144

The museum’s earthenware white Poodle sits alert on its hind quarters atop a blue cushion. From the chest to the top of the head, the dog’s hair is curly, as is its tail. The rest of the coat is smooth.

Label Copy

Hello, my name is Emily Holtrop. I am the director of learning and interpretation at the museum. I will be reading the label for the Poodle in Unlocking an Art Deco Bedroom by Joseph Urban.

Made in Staffordshire, England, the museum’s Poodle is made of earthenware and dates to the mid-19^th century. It was a gift from Mary Reis Sullivan, John Reis, and Richard Reis in memory of their mother, Elaine Wormser Reis. The accession number is 2018.144

Elaine Wormser began collecting 19^th- and 20^th-century ceramic dog figurines before the commission of her Joseph Urban-designed bedroom. Over twenty ceramic pups, nestled into niches or atop shelves, are observed in archival photographs of the Wormser bedroom. Accommodating this collection must have been one of the stipulations of Urban’s job. Their inclusion injects an aspect of Elaine’s interests and personality into the room. This poodle figure sits on a cobalt blue pillow. A small hole near its feet indicates that it functioned as a pen holder. 

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