Tag: depression

Rare Vintage WPA Diorama Native American Pottery Great Depression New Deal

Extremely Rare Antique 1930’s WPA Museum Extension Project Diorama – Making Pottery – Cliff Dwellers. The diorama measures 13″ x 10″ x 8 3/4 and is in nicely maintained condition with the label attached and legible. Hinges are solid and function well. Both pieces of glass are intact. Overall a wonderful example of early WPA artwork. In the early 1930’s, during the great depression, President Roosevelt enacted the “New Deal Program”. One of the programs was the Works Progress Administration (WPA) (also: Work Projects Administration). The program employed thousands of out of work jobseekers to carry out public works projects. Many artists & artisans were employed in the creation of exhibitions for schools. These exhibitions, like this diorama, are very fragile & therefore many do not exist today. The box is made of wood & painted black. The front window & the inner roof of the box are glass. The top of the diorama has a hinged lid, which is held up by a wooden rod, which allows light to enter the top of this diorama. The top inner glass has one corner cut out to accommodate this wooden rod to drop down out of the way.