Name/Title
Porcelain Vase, painted by Elizabeth Thomas, c. 1907Entry/Object ID
1982.42.1Description
Acc. No. 82.42.1
Subject Category: Artists, porcelain, painting
Date or period: Circa-1907
Object: Vase, flower
Description: Squat mushroom shaped flower vase terminating in a flared rim. Hand painted (unsigned), on porcelain blank, not identified by maker or origin. Subject-purple violets on shaded green backgrounds 214K gold painted rim.
Size: 2½ inches high, base-3½ inches across.
History of Object: Birthday gift to Helena Ames Forythe from her son Robert Ames, circa 1907. The vase was painted and fired by Elizabeth Thomas, a professional china painter and teacher, living at 1405 Caroline St., Alameda. The Ames family lived next door to Let. M odz Bg, pH. 1405, having rented the house after fleeing the destruction of their home in the earthquake and fire of 1906, in San Francisco. The young Ames had saved his money to purchase the vase as a gift for his mother. Mr. Ames died early in 1982, his sister donating the vase.
See card - 81.260.1, for further information on Thomas.
Acquired from: Ms. Helena Ames
Date: 7-29-82Interpretative Labels
Label
3/26/2020 MvL: a label was attached to the acquisition card, with the following information:
---
Photographic portrait and work of
Elizabeth Thomas
Ms. Thomas was an outstanding china painter and teacher in Alameda in the early 1900's. Her studio and home were located at 1405 Caroline Street. It was here that the china was painted, fired and later sold.
Violet vase: Birthday gift to Helena Ames Foryth from her son, Robert Ames, circa 1907.
Donor: Ms. Helene Ames (82.42.1)
Portrait: Elizabeth Thomas
Donor: Victoria Boddington (81.260.1)
[ in pen, marked: “stolen”: ]
Electric light shades: 3
Donor: Victoria Boddington (85.116.1)Label
1/30/2021 MvL: current sign:
CHINA PAINTER
Elizabeth J. Thomas
(1857-1938)
Listed California artist residing at 1405 Caroline St. where she had a kiln and produced painted porcelain and taught small classes.
These are examples of her work.
