Product Description

The 1906 earthquake in San Francisco triggered not only a devastating three-day fire, but also a tuberculosis epidemic, a result of the ash- and dust-filled air. Working women were disproportionately afflicted with the disease. Fortunately, many of them regained their health---and cultivated new artistic skills---at a unique treatment center across the Golden Gate.

The Arequipa Sanatorium, located in rural Marin County, was founded in 1911 by Dr. Philip King Brown. Influenced by the philosophy of the Arts and Crafts movement, he sought to provide his working-class female patients not only with the medical care and rest that they needed, but also with the opportunity to engage in a creative pursuit that was both therapeutic and marketable. Brown settled upon pottery.

Through vintage photographs, technical illustrations, and beautiful full-color reproductions, Fired by Ideals: Arequipa Pottery and the Arts and Crafts Movement tells the story of this progressive institution and analyzes the distinctive pottery created there. With their simple charm and strong ties to the natural environment, Arequipa wares remain treasured examples of American art pottery and the Arts and Crafts era.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1127888 in Books
• Published on: 2000-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 129 pages

Customer Reviews

Filled with thoughtful and meaningful wares
Collaboratively presented by Suzanne Raizerman (Imogene Gieling Curator of Crafts and Decorative Arts, Oakland Museum, California), Lynn Downey (History, Levi Strauss and Company); and John Taki (California College of Arts and Crafts and President, Leslie Ceramic Supply Company, Berkeley, California) Fired By Ideals: Arequipa Pottery And The Arts & Crafts Movement is a truly impressive, 136 page artbook showcasing a unique selection of historical ceramic pottery sculpture. In 1911, after the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco triggered a tuberculosis epidemic, a special treatment center called the Arequipa Sanatorium was founded for working women afflicted by the disease. Pottery became daily practice, both as an outlet for creativity/healing and to create marketable wares. The most amazing samples of this fine pottery are displayed in full color in Fired By Ideals, along with descriptive captions and a narrated history of the Sanatorium that created them. A fascinating catalogue filled with thoughtful and meaningful wares, Fired By Ideals is a unique and enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library arts and crafts reference collections.

With vintage photos and color reproductions
Fired By Design surveys Arequipa pottery and the Arts and Crafts movement, using vintage photos and color reproductions to display the works generated by a tuberculosis sanatarium in rural Marin County in 1906. Dr. Brown was influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement sought to provide his female patients not just with rest, but with creative art pursuits: pottery was his choice and Fired By Design displays the wealth produced by his patients.