Newport Mansions Exhibit Explores Gilded Age Luxury and Craftsmanship
The Preservation Society of Newport County is hosting an exhibition titled 'Anything You Want,' curated by Ulysses Grant Dietz. This exhibit delves into the material culture of the Gilded Age, showcasing 100 objects from the Society's extensive collection. These items, ranging from the late 1400s to the early 1900s, were all acquired during the Gilded Age and represent diverse styles and origins, including furniture, metalwork, ceramics, glass, painting, sculpture, prints, and photographs. The exhibition aims to highlight individual pieces that might otherwise be overlooked within the opulent settings of the historic mansions. It prompts visitors to consider the motivations behind Gilded Age collecting and the desirability of these objects, many of which were crafted by anonymous workers who could not afford to own such luxuries themselves. The Gilded Age, roughly from the 1870s to the early 1900s, was characterized by rapid industrialization, economic growth, and significant social inequalities, with imme... 
