The P.J. Ahern Home in Texarkana is and always has been replete with charm.
Now is a perfect time to take in the ambiance of this 1905 Classical Revival mansion while the exhibit "My Fair Ladies" is on display.
The exhibit, which runs through February, features Royal Doulton figurines from 1937 to 1995 and is presented in the upstairs part of the house.
These pieces, collected by two Texarkana families, present elegant statuettes of various women, several dressed in finery.
"Mostly they are the My Fair Lady series," Texarkana Museum Systems Curator Jamie Simmons said about the figurines. Artists would have an inspiration for each piece, which was reflected in the name - for example, the Lady of Williamsburg and Gentleman of Williamsburg.
This particular set, introduced in 1960 to honor the recent restoration of the Colonial Era Virginia city of Williamsburg, and several other pieces were donated by the grandchildren of P.J. and Mary Ahern.
The estate of the late Nancy Troike donated a large collection of Royal Doulton in 2019. It contained pieces collected by Troike's mother, Jessica B. Patterson, dating back to the 1930s.
"Each piece has a story behind it. My favorite of the Royal Doultons would have to be Isadora, inspired by Isadora Duncan," said Jamie, noting it was designed by artist Peter Gee. "The vibrant colors and clever shading all allude to the expression she brought to modern dance in the 1920s." Royal Doulton began in 1815 as Doulton Pottery, producers of utilitarian pieces such as bottles, crockery and the wildly popular Toby mugs. In 1901, King Edward VII of England granted the company a royal warrant, and the name was changed to Royal Doulton.
Jamie has a special fondness for the Royal Doulton figurines.
"There's an aesthetic you can pick out: the delicate features in the faces," Jamie said, observing, too, that they all seem to have a sense of motion to them. Admission is $5 per person. Tour times are 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and then Sundays again at 2:30 p.m.
(For more information, visit the P.J. Ahern Home page on Facebook or call 903-793-4831.)