Kay Hackett of Stangl:Is “Thistle” her greatest design?

On display March 1 – April 7, 2017

To celebrate National Women’s History Month during March 2017, the Trenton City Museum is exhibiting a collection of ceramic dinnerware created by artist Kay Hackett in the “Thistle” Pattern. Kay Hackett is credited with designing 40 Stangl dinnerware patterns that were put into production and over 100 miscellaneous novelty and artware items. She died on March 19, 2016 at the age of 96. We mourn her passing, but celebrate her legacy of excellence in ceramic design. Kay Hackett’s many designs for Stangl Pottery were sold nationally from the 1940s through the 1970s, and they remain popular among ceramic collectors today. Stangl Pottery manufactured the Thistle pattern from 1951 to 1967. Visitors can compare “Thistle” to other Kay Hackett designs that are exhibited in the adjacent Study Gallery at the Museum.

Kay Hackett designs were often nature-based, such as Thistle, Chicory, Fruit, Garden Flower, and Blueberry. The designs were hand-painted, making each piece of Stanglware one of a kind. Her designs are charming and festive. Is “Thistle” her greatest design? Visitors can judge for themselves whether they are enchanted by Kay Hackett’s “Thistle” creations.

The display was created by David Bosted of the Trenton Museum Society assisted by Madeline Walsh of The College of New Jersey.

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