Magic Acorn Tureen

Coille Hooven, Magic Acorn Tureen, 1979, glazed porcelain with cobalt stain, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Given in memory of Floyd Douglas Conkey and Evelyn Blunt Conkey, 1981.77
Copied Coille Hooven, Magic Acorn Tureen, 1979, glazed porcelain with cobalt stain, 8 3⁄8 x 12 1⁄2 in. (21.3 x 31.7 cm.) diam., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Given in memory of Floyd Douglas Conkey and Evelyn Blunt Conkey, 1981.77

Artwork Details

Title
Magic Acorn Tureen
Artist
Date
1979
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
8 3⁄8 x 12 1⁄2 in. (21.3 x 31.7 cm.) diam.
Credit Line
Given in memory of Floyd Douglas Conkey and Evelyn Blunt Conkey
Mediums
Mediums Description
glazed porcelain with cobalt stain
Classifications
Keywords
  • Fantasy — animal
  • Object — foliage
Object Number
1981.77
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1981.77

Artwork Description

The looped handles on the lid of this soup tureen feature small woodland creatures donning dainty hats and relaxing and reading together. The artist compares her surrealist scenes to dreams, in that they are “intended to invoke a feeling that lingers.” Coille Hooven explores her feminist politics through domestic and functional wares, often playing with fairytale clichés of maidens, mothers, wives, and crones.

Luce Center Label

Magic Acorn Tureen offers a fairytale scene of small porcelain animals in hats who read and relax by the looped handles on the lid. Coille Hooven left the pot its natural white color, using touches of blue glaze to accent the leaves and define the figures.