Decorative Arts

The core holdings of the decorative arts collection center on Worcester porcelain and American silver. The 350+ piece Worcester collection, acquired through gifts and purchases, illustrates the historical design progression of the 18th-20th centuries. It is the third largest such collection in the U.S. The 650-piece silver collection, spanning the 18th-20th centuries, came to Cheekwood primarily through a private donor who also established a fund for new silver acquisitions. This collection includes some European pieces for comparative purposes.

Richard and Molly Schneider recently gifted 27 fine examples of American Art Pottery from their collection to Cheekwood.  The collection provides a cross section of the decorative arts genre known as American Art Pottery and includes pieces produced by the companies of Weller, Tiffany and Newcomb, Fulper, and Rookwood.  The majority of the pieces were produced by Rookwood Pottery in Cincinnati.

The Cheek Mansion itself is also considered part of the collection. The renovation restored much of the original building, revealing authentic features (wood and marble floors that had been carpeted), and conserving historical architectural motifs, such as the illusionist murals that line the main corridor.