vase, Sarah Agnes Estelle Irvine; Joseph Fortune Meyer; Newcomb Pottery

Archive Label 2003 (version 1): The Pottery of Newcomb College, the women’s college of Tulane University, was established in 1895 in order to provide vocational education for young Southern women. Its founders believed that women could find meaningful, rewarding work and earn an honorable living as decorative artists. Here, a division of labor existed in which women designed and executed their decorations, while men potted, fired, and glazed the pieces. This vase, designed by student “Sadie” Irvin, exemplifies the Newcomb Pottery’s distinctive style, which is characterized by simple shapes, designs of flora and fauna, and a cool palette of blues, grays, and greens. The live oak tree seen on this piece was the symbol of the college and became Newcomb Pottery’s most popular motif. Archive Label 2003 (version 2): Newcomb Pottery was associated with Newcomb College, the women’s college of Tulane University. Sadie Irvine was a student at the College and learned pottery design there. She maintained a lifelong association with the College and continued to work at the Pottery as one of its best decorators. She originated the highly popular design seen on this vase, a bayou scene with full moon and moss-laden live oaks. A Newcomb Pottery vase designed by Anna Frances Simpson can be seen in the case in the 19th-Century Galleries, this floor. Archive Label 2001: Newcomb Pottery contributed to Louisiana's art nouveau at the turn of the century. Tied to Newcomb College, the women's college of Tulane University, Newcomb Pottery was educational in nature rather than profit-oriented. Sadie Irvine was one of the school's best decorators. She originated Newcomb's most popular motif, a bayou scene with a moon and moss-laden trees, as seen on this vase. Archive Label: At Newcomb College, the women’s college of Tulane University, the pottery department, (was) a professional studio, operated in conjunction with art and design courses. Sarah Irvine arrived as a student at Newcomb in 1903. She stayed on after graduation as artist and instructor until her retirement in 1952. The immensely popular moss-covered tree and full moon motif, seen on this vase and thousands of others, is thought to be Irvine’s original design.