Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2022.038.001 |
Object Name |
Wig, Bob |
Title |
Stangl Pottery Wooden Base Wig Stand |
Description |
The ceramic wig stand is designed to resemble a Caucasian woman's head, attached to a brown wooden block. The "woman" features a long neck, a red and brown necklace, red lips, no nose, two brown eyes with thick black eyelashes, two brown eyebrows, and a light brown bob haircut. The necklace consists of two red lines with numerous red and brown circles in between. Her bob haircut has bangs across her forehead, with curls on both sides. Neither of her ears is visible. On the back of the wig stand, near the bottom of the neck, there is a black and gold Stangl logo. The logo consists of a gold oval with a black rim, with the words "Stangl (trademark logo) POTTERY TRENTON, N.J." written in black. On the bottom of the block, there is a screw in each corner, and a carved Stangl logo near the center of the wood. The logo is an oval shape with the word "STANGL" written inside. According to Stanglpottery.org, the company's origins trace back to 1814 when Hill Pottery was founded in Flemington, New Jersey. The company evolved over the years, particularly under Abram Fulper's ownership in the 1860s, transitioning from earthenware to stoneware. In 1910, Martin Stangl joined the company and later became its president after Fulper's death in 1928. Stangl Pottery, as it was known after 1955, became famous for its hand-printed dinnerware and innovations like VaseKraft vases. By the 1940s, Stangl pottery was highly popular, but the company closed in November 1978. According to Susan Eastman of the Herald Times, Stangl's significance in American ceramics includes creating the first open-stock solid-color dinnerware and popularizing the practice of demonstrating pottery in public spaces, such as department stores. The company also pioneered "jobbing" ceramic parts for other manufacturers. According to Stangl Pottery by Harvey Duke, the idea for wig stands like this one originated with Martin Stangl. Initially, they were made exclusively for a wig store in New York but eventually became available at other stores and for retail. These wig stands stand 15 inches tall, with "head" sizes measuring 22 1/2 inches in length. The earliest wig stands, such as this one, featured a wooden base, while later versions sold at Flemington had a ceramic base. Every wig stand produced by Stangl was hand-painted by Irene Sarnecki. The stands typically feature women with blonde or brunette hair, with some models appearing to have red hair. The blonde-haired versions are much rarer than the brunette ones. 1968 was the only year these wig stands were produced. Citations: Eastman, S. (2019, August 23). HT.Stangl Art Pottery. Times. https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/lifestyle/home-garden/2019/08/23/htstangl-art-pottery/46939119/ Duke, H. (1993). Stangl Pottery. Stangl Pottery Flemington New Jersey. (n.d.). https://stanglpottery.org/ |
Date |
1968 |
Material |
Ceramic, Wood, Metal |
Artist |
Stangl Pottery |
Height (in) |
15.000 |
Length (in) |
6.500 |
Width (in) |
5.500 |
Condition |
Good |
Condition Notes |
Overall: Accretions, discolorations, and wear throughout. Front: There is a small black accretion on the neck on the center near the left side. Right Side: There is wear all over the wood. There is a white accretion on top of the wood near the left side. And finally, there is a white accretion on the bottom of the wood near the right side. Back: There is a dark brown discoloration on top of the wood near the middle. Left Side: There is wear all over the wood. Also, there is a white accretion on top of the wood near the right side. Top: There is a light brown discoloration on the center near the middle. There are two abrasions on top near the middle and right sides. There is a small light brown discoloration on the center near the left side. And finally, there is a vertical light brown discoloration on top near the middle. Bottom: There is a little bit of wear on the bottom near the middle. |
Inscription Type |
Manufacturer's Mark |
Inscription Location |
Back, Center, Middle |
Inscription Technique |
Etched |
Inscription Text |
"Stangle" trademark sign Line 1 "POTTERY" Line 2 "TRENTON, N.J" Line 3 Bottom, Center, Middle "STANGL" Line 1 |
People |
Abram Fulper William Fulper II Martin Stangl Samuel Hill Irene Sarnecki |
Classification |
Domestic Life/Household Goods Business & Commerce |
Subjects |
Ceramic industry Hair Wigs Wood Women Heads (Anatomy) |
Search Terms |
Wig Laura Poll Woman Stangl Bob Hair Women Woman Cauasian Eyelashes Brown Lips Lipstick Necklace Wood Stangle Trenton America Neck Head 1968 20th Century Ceramic Abram Fulper William Fulper II Martin Stangl Samuel Hill Irene Sarnecki Metal Silver Gold Black Stangl Pottery Fulper Pottery Hill Pottery Stangl Pottery Wooden Base Wig Stand |
Provenance |
This item was originally bought by Laura Poll and donated to the Trenton Free Public Library in October of 2022. Laura Poll was later reimbursed for her purchase. It became apart of the Museum Collection on October of 2022 |