Gardiner Museum

Gardiner Museum

The Gardiner Museum is a Museum of Ceramic Art, located in Toronto, Ontario. It was established in 1984 by Helen and George Gardiner. It houses a large collection of ceramic art which was started by its founders who decided to share their valuable treasures with the public. The museum was originally opened as the George R. Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art.

Today the Gardener Museum exposes thousands of items. It has assembled several specialized collections in the fields of pottery from Europe, America, Asia and Africa. Some of the Gardiner’s collections are famous worldwide, such as collections of Meissen porcelain, rare Du Paquier porcelain from Vienna. (This factory was historically the second factory to successfully produce hard-paste porcelain in Europe). We can mention Hausmaler decorated porcelain, one of the best collections of Italian Renaissance maiolica in Canada. Also it has the most comprehensive collection of figures from the commedia dell’arte in a public institution.

The Radlett Collection of Eighteenth-Century English Porcelain also is an important component of the Museum. The 1760 Beer Jug with a portrait of General James Wolfe being one of the best known pieces in this collection. The Robert Murray Bell and Ann Walker Bell Collection of Chinese Blue and White Porcelain is another highlight of the Gardiner Museum. It includes the Qing dynasty Bianhu (flask). The Macdonald Collection of Japanese and Japanese-inspired porcelain, including the Kakiemon cup and saucer with the “Lady in a Pavilion”, forms a very special aspect of the Museum.

Gardiner Museum. Photo : Elena

The Hans Syz Collection is a remarkable assemblage of European porcelain. The Norman and Cecily Bell Collection consists predominantly of English transfer-printed wares of unique quality. The Thomas Henry Clark Collection comprises pieces of English and Continental tin-glazed earthenware. Helen Armstrong bequeathed the Vernon W. Armstrong Collection of eighteenth-century porcelain. Robert and Marian Cumming donated some of the most interesting pieces. Jean and Kenneth Laundy donated a significant collection of creamware. The Gardiner also received outstanding examples of 17th and 19th century French faience from Pierre and Mariel O’Neill-Karch. Many other people have given exceptional ceramic art to the Museum including Aaron Milrad and Diana Reitberger, the Raphael Yu Collection of Canadian Ceramics, etc.

The museum has a statute of Canada’s National Museum.

Between 1987 and 1996 the Gardiner Museum was managed by the Royal Ontario Museum, but in 1996, an endowment from George Gardiner supported the Museum becoming an independent institution again.

The building of the museum was designed by architect Keith Wagland, the architectural firm of Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg added galleries. It has large educational, administration and studio space, a retail shop, a cafe and special events area, such as special exhibitions. The building is often cited as one of the most beautiful buildings in Toronto.

The Museum boasts a permanent collection and a full schedule of exhibitions, lectures and programs. They include clay classes for adults and children.

The Gardiner Museum is located on Queen’s Park just south of Bloor Street in Toronto. It is opposite the Royal Ontario Museum.

The nearest subway station to the Gardiner Museum is Museum.

Web site of Gardiner Museum: gardinermuseum.on.ca