Imagining an Irish Past: The Celtic Revival 1840-1940

February 5–June 16, 1992

Following the discovery of the Early Christian Ardagh Chalice, Cross of Cong, and the Tara Brooch, a renewed sense of patriotism and national identity arose in Ireland and inspired numerous contemporary copies of Irish treasures. These works reached the middle classes when retailers such as Liberty’s of London, Tiffany’s and Marshall Field’s marketed facsimilies and adaptations worn by such luminaries as Queen Victoria.

The exhibition features more than 300 objects inspired by this archaeological find, which represent the last of the great 19th century revivals of the visual arts – the rediscovery of medieval Celtic ornament from a period before British control. These objects will include jewelry inspired by the famous Tara Brooch; silver objects produced by the firm of Liberty and Company, “Hibernia Awakening from her Slumbers,” a monumental Belleek ceramic statue; and textiles embroidered by the Dun Emer Guild – founded by the sisters of W. B. Yeats- which shows the influence of Irish illuminated manuscripts. The impact of the Celtic Revival on American applied art will be represented with such objects as Louis Sullivan’s stenciled designs for the Chicago Stock Exchange, Thomas A. O’Shaughnessy’s monumental stained-glass window in honor of Henry O. Shephard, fonder of the Inland Printer, and a spectacular 15 piece turn of the century Tiffany desk set in a pattern called “Celtic.”

Exhibition catalogue available

Funding for the exhibition has been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, IDA Ireland, Aer Lingus, the Illinois Arts Council, the British Council, the Irish Consulate General, the Smart Family Foundation Fund, Mrs. Lindy Bergman, Joan and Stanley M. Freehling, Richard and Mary Gray; Gordon Mark, and the Friends of the Smart Museum.

The works in the exhibition have been loaned from the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin, the Ulster Museum in Belfast, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Historical Society, the Smart Museum, and several private collections.