STUDIO GLASS GIFT

In October, the studio of late California-based seminal American studio glass artist Marvin Lipofsky (1938–2016) gifted us a large collection of Lipofsky’s glass sculptures and accessories. This donation includes glass experiments, finished pieces, castings, hot and cold shop tools, and glass remnants. One of several standouts is a 1969 work from Lipofsky’s renowned California Loop Series in which the artist experimented with adding materials such as rayon flocking and copper plating to glass. This gift compliments our growing studio glass collection, which includes works by Sydney Cash, Dale Chihuly, and Flora Mace.

Marvin Lipofsky (American, 1938–2016). Small California Loop Series #20, 1969. Glass, rayon flocking, epoxy, copper plating. Gift of the Marvin Lipofsky Studio.

MUSEUM DONATIONS

In July, we received over 40 design objects from the Museum of Modern Art, including many notable examples of early and mid-century European and American design. Objects include ceramics, glass, plastics, plastic food, metal dishware and utensils, tools, and textiles/materials.  Works by Josef Hoffmann (Austrian, 1870–1956) and Karl Koepping (German, 1848–1914)—both key figures in the history of modern design—are now part of our collection. 

We also recently acquired two major gifts from the Brooklyn Museum. The first, which arrived in May, is a substantial collection of textile fragments, many from Italy and France, with some dating from as early as the 15th century. The donation is strong in early Italian velvets, French silks, and metal-thread lace fragments, as well as other examples of trim, thread, and embroidery. In October, we acquired a second gift, consisting primarily of sewing tools, ranging from pin cushions to needle cases along with various other textile tools. Highlights include a late 18th-century German ell (a textile measuring tool) and a late 19th–early 20th-century lace pillow with bobbins.

Left: Stephan Rath. Finger bowl, ca. 1948. Crystal. Gift of the Museum of Modern Art.

Right: Lady’s Companion Case, British, ca. 1845. Leather, paper, wood, metal, cotton, wool, glass, mother-of-pearl. Gift of the Brooklyn Museum.

Other selected new acquisitions:

• Collection of early 20th-century printed tin containers for medicinal and other miscellaneous products, donated by James R. Christie
• ca. 2022 Mexican Tenango/Otomi “manta” textile tablecloth/runner embroidered with animals and flowers, donated by BGC alum Daniela Diaz Blancarte (MA 2025) 
• Collection of ceramics, including British tablewares, Chinese export wares, and British delftware plates and tiles, donated by Judith and Ralph Noveck 
• Two mid-19th century knives (bread knife with corn husked-shaped ivory handle and table knife with encaustic handle) and group of papier-mâché ceiling ornaments from Bridehead Estate, Dorset, England, donated by Martin Levy
• 1960s Arnold Scaasi (Canadian, 1930–2015) turquoise dress with silk chiffon with sequins, donated by Judith O. Noveck
• Late 19th–early 20th century American “crazy” quilt, donated by Sheila Meyer
• Mid-to-late 1880s American straw hat with silk ribbon, donated by Michele Majer 
• Five Inuit soapstone carvings from makers including Elizabeth Nutaraluk (Inuk, 1914–1998), Dominic Kingalik (Inuk 1939–1990), and Mary Tutsuitok (Inuk, born in Arviat), donated by Stephen Blank in memory of Lenore

Worcester teapot with Chinese fisherman figure, ca. 1768. Gift of Judith O. and Ralph Noveck.

Viewing Objects

The Study Collection is open for object viewing and can be accessed most weekdays. Please contact barb.elam@bgc.bard.edu or group.library@bgc.bard.edu for an appointment.