It used to be common practice for brides to select everyday and “good” patterns in china, glass and silver for their brid- al registries. Table settings, such as the one above, were expected for entertaining. But as bridal styles have become more casual, so has entertaining and name brands in glassware show up less often and are purchased less frequently as gifts, says Gay LeClaire Taylor. The nationally known glass expert will be speaking at the Houston Museum Antiques Show and Sale, which runs Feb. 27 though March 1.If You Go
* What: Houston Museum Antiques Show & Sale. * Where: Stratton Hall, 3146 Broad St. * When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Feb. 27-28; noon-4 p.m. Sunday, March 1. * Admission: $10. * For more information: 423-267-7176. Speaker’s Schedule * Friday, Feb. 27: Glass identification, limit of three items per person. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. * Saturday, Feb. 28: “Glass Threads,” 1 p.m., followed by glass identification from 2-4 p.m., limit of three items per person. * Sunday, March 1: “American Paperweights,” 1 p.m.
Gay LeClaire Taylor believes it’s more than coincidence she was booked to speak at the Houston Museum’s Antiques Show and Sale. Her appearance brings her family history full circle.
“My mother’s father was born in Damascus, Syria. He came to America in 1889 and lived in Chattanooga, working in a foundry from 1890 to 1892,” she explains. “He eventually moved to Philadelphia and became a dentist. He wrote a whole chapter in his memoirs about Chattanooga, and how he wanted to return one day to pick violets on Lookout Mountain, where they had picnics.”
Taylor is a former director/curator of the Museum of American Glass at Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center in Millville, N.J., and a nationally renowned lecturer. Since retiring, the New Jersey resident has become an independent consultant on glass. She will give educational talks during the Houston Show as well as offer glass identification on pieces brought in by show visitors.
Taylor answered questions on how researching her favorite glass company, Durand, led to the creation of her “Glass Threads” talk and her concerns for the future of glass collecting.