February 24, 2023

The Gregory Gift at Frick Madison, February 16 – July 9, 2023

“The celebrated holdings of decorative arts objects amassed by Henry Clay Frick have been significantly enriched in recent decades by gifts from other collectors. In 1999, Winthrop Kellogg Edey’s bequest added to the museum’s holdings an important group of European clocks and watches, and in the last decade or so, gifts from Dianne Dwyer Modestini (2008), Melinda and Paul Sullivan (2016), Henry Arnhold (2019), and Sidney R. Knafel (2021) have reshaped the Frick’s holdings of European ceramics with significant groups of Du Paquier and Meissen porcelain, French faience, and Italian maiolica. A remarkable bequest in 2020 from the collection of Alexis Gregory builds on this tradition by enhancing the museum’s existing holdings and introducing to the museum new types of objects. Beginning in February 2023, visitors can enjoy a special exhibition of these works, shown by the Frick for the first time together. The Gregory Gift (February 16 through July 9, 2023) features the twenty-eight acquisitions in a variety of media and forms, curious luxury objects that, shown together, suggest a fine collector’s cabinet or Kunstkammer. Among them are fifteen Limoges enamels, two clocks, two ewers, a gilt-bronze sculpture, a serpentine tankard, an ivory hilt, a rhinoceros horn cup, a pomander, and two stunning pastels by Rosalba Carriera.” — The Frick Collection

James Cox (British, ca. 1723–1800). Musical Automaton Rhinoceros Clock, ca. 1765–72. Gilt bronze, silver, enamel, paste jewels, white marble, and amber. 15 9/16 x 8 3/8 x 3 1/2 in. (39.5 x 21.3 x 8.9 cm). The Frick Collection, Gift of Alexis Gregory, 2021. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Saint-Porchaire ware (French). Ewer (biberon). Mid-16th century. Glazed earthenware. 10 1/4 x 5 1/16 x 5 1/16 in. (26 x 12.9 x 12.9 cm). The Frick Collection, Gift of Alexis Gregory, 2020. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Rosalba Carriera (Italian, 1673–1757). Portrait of a Woman, ca. 1730. Pastel on paper, glued on canvas. 23 1/4 x 18 3/4 x 1/2 in. (59.1 x 47.6 x 1.3 cm). The Frick Collection Gift of Alexis Gregory, 2020. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Attributed to Domenico Cucci and workshop. Manufacture des Gobelins, Paris 1662–1664. Figure of Louis XIV. Gilt bronze, on a porphyry base. 13 5/8 x 11 15/16 x 7 1/16 in. (34 .6 x 30.3 x 17.9 cm). The Frick Collection, Gift of Alexis Gregory, 2021. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Attributed to Johann Heinrich Köhler (1669–1736). Parade Clock with Cameos, 1700–10. Gilt bronze, cameos, emeralds, diamonds, rubies, heliotrope, and marble. 9 1/2 x 6 3/16 x 3 3/4 in. (24.1 x 15.7 x 9.5 cm). The Frick Collection, Gift of Alexis Gregory, 2021. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Probably South German. Seated Lion Pomander, ca. 1575. Gold, diamond, rubies, and enamel. 2 13/16 x 1 1/4 x 1 7/8 in. (7.1 x 3.2 x 4.8 cm). The Frick Collection, Gift of Alexis Gregory, 2021. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Pierre Reymond (French, 1513–after 1584). Jason Confronting the Dragon Guarding the Golden Fleece, ca. 1567–1568. Limoges; enamel on copper, parcel-gilt. Diam.: 7 15/16 in (20.2 cm). The Frick Collection, Gift of Alexis Gregory, 2021. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Pierre Reymond (French, 1513–after 1584). One of a Pair of Covered Tazzas, late 16th century. Limoges; enamel on copper, parcel-gilt. 8 1/2 x 7 1/4 in. (21.6 x 18.4 cm). The Frick Collection, Gift of Alexis Gregory, 2021. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Master I.C., probably Jean de Court or Jean Court. Plaque: Jupiter under a Canopy, 16th century. Limoges; enamel on copper, parcel-gilt. 4 3/16 x 3 3/8 in. (10.6 x 8.6 cm). The Frick Collection, Gift of Alexis Gregory, 2021. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Italian, Venice (?). Dish, early 16th century. Enamel on copper, parcel-gilt. Diam.: 17 1/2 in. (44.5 cm). The Frick Collection, Gift of Alexis Gregory, 2021. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.

Comments Ian Wardropper, Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Director of the Frick, “Alexis Gregory had one of the finest collections of Renaissance and Rococo decorative arts in this country. His deep affection for the Frick led to his bequest of a selection of a superb group of objects, and we are gratified to mount this exhibition in his memory.” Buku Pongo adds, “ This generous and important gift to The Frick Collection opens new areas of research and lays the groundwork for exciting projects. From research into the context of their creation to technical analyses expanding our knowledge of how these objects were produced, the exhibition at Frick Madison will celebrate Alexis Gregory’s generous gift and The Frick Collection’s commitment to the display of European decorative arts.”

The exhibition is organized by Marie-Laure Buku Pongo, Assistant Curator of Decorative Arts.

Images courtesy The Frick Collection.