Preview Our Next Furniture Container | ETA November 2024

The 30-Year, 30% Off Sale!  Sale Prices Listed Below! For decades, Material Culture has sourced and sold antique Anglo-Indian furniture in our retail store, owing to its great popularity, home utility, and bench-made quality—qualities sorely lacking in today’s contemporary, mass-manufactured, “disposable” furniture. The adaptability of this furniture enhances its usefulness. Slim shelves become perfect spice or curio cabinets, while larger pieces fit seamlessly into dens, living rooms, or kitchens. The slim depth of this furniture allows it to fit more easily into rooms and hallways that would not accommodate bulkier forms, making it ideal for smaller urban apartments. Lastly, instead of ending up in the junk pile like much contemporary furniture, antique Anglo-Indian furniture can always be resold and find new homes for continued, reliable service. For much of their history, most Indians did not use Western types of furniture in their homes, but rather low tables and cushions on the floor, for lounging, eating and sleeping, while Indian Royals also used ceremonial pieces like thrones. Starting in the 16th century, European conquests of various parts of India meant an influx over time of Portuguese, French, Dutch and English domestic habits, including furniture uses and styles. Desiring their traditional furnishings, [...]

2024-10-07T14:11:56-04:00September 27th, 2024|Uncategorized|

Award-Winning Author & Chef Aliza Green | Aruba’s Papiamento Cuisine | June 29

  Award-Winning Author & Chef Aliza Green's Latest Book: "Aruba’s Papiamento Cuisine" Award-winning author and chef Aliza Green will be at Material Culture to present her latest book, Aruba’s Papiamento Cuisine. Guests will enjoy samples of Bolo Preto cake (Aruban black cake) with passion fruit crème, and Peruvian chicha morada syrup. Copies of the book will be available for $40 each. Join us on Saturday, June 29th, from 2 PM to 3 PM. Free parking is available, and the event is open to the public.   Savoring Aruba A Culinary Journey through Caribbean Flavors Award-Winning Author & Chef Aliza Green From dazzling white sugar sand beaches to seemingly never-ending stretches of turquoise ocean, the small Caribbean island of Aruba is culture-rich with deep-rooted traditions and diverse flavors. Aruba’s Papiamento Cuisine: New Caribbean Cooking Celebrating its Creole Roots and Multicultural Flavors (Panamericana, Bogota, Colombia, October 2023 $40.00 US), written by award-winning cookbook author Aliza Green, is both a love letter and an introduction to Aruba. Green will take you on a dynamic journey through the island to discover a cuisine infused with vibrant Caribbean creole ingredients and techniques with international flair. Local food [...]

2024-06-19T10:47:29-04:00June 12th, 2024|Uncategorized|

Watch the Thriller “Herd” With the Film’s Star!

Direct from London's Fright Fest and New York Comic Con, come watch the thriller Herd with the film's star! Screening Time: Saturday, October 28, 2PM Free, Open to the Public, Unlimited Parking Also! Join Us for a Special Exhibition Reception for our DARK SHADOWS Auction (click here) https://youtu.be/hgf9_h5jA-c?si=8Fgk9SVsTRZKLmLk   Ellen Adair Star of the film Ellen Adair (Jamie Miller) will be in attendance for the screening, and will host a Q&A afterwards! You may have seen her in Homeland, Billions, Veep, The Sinner, The Slap and more! When Jamie Miller and her wife, Alex Kanai, try to save their failing marriage by going on a canoe trip in rural Missouri, they find themselves stranded after an accident. Alex breaks her leg during a canoe flip and they must slowly make their way to the nearest small town for help. Upon arriving they find it has been overrun by virus-infected “Heps” and extreme right wing local militias who are battling them. The leader of one of the groups, "Big John Gruber", shuttles them to safety at his bunker where they are welcomed by a seemingly friendly group of locals, but after witnessing personal and gruesome horrors, the women know [...]

2023-10-19T10:31:23-04:00October 8th, 2023|Uncategorized|

BY FAR OUR BIGGEST SALE IN MANY YEARS!

50% OFF ALL FURNITURE, ACCESSORIES, ART, ARCHITECTURAL, ETHNOGRAPHIC, TRIBAL, FOLK ART, TEXTILES, CERAMICS, LIGHTING, SCULPTURE, GARDEN, HOME…ON AND ON… 30% OFF ALL RUGS & KILIMS AND EVEN GREATER DISCOUNTS ON SELECTED ITEMS! SAT/SUN WEEKEND REFRESHMENTS BOTTOM LINE: WE NEED TO MAKE SPACE FOR MANY EXCITING NEW PROJECTS IN 2024 AND WE ARE HIGHLY MOTIVATED TO SELL, SELL, AND SELL SOME MORE… THIS IS TRULY A ONCE IN 30 YEARS EVENT!

2023-12-29T10:42:36-05:00September 30th, 2023|Uncategorized|

Tibetan Monks of Drepung Gomang Monastery Return to Material Culture, September 19-24

Please Join the Tibetan Buddhist Monks Of Drepung Gomang Monastery, India, for the Construction and Dismantling of a Sacred Tibetan Sand Mandala. Mandala Construction: Tuesday, Sept. 19 - Sunday, Sept. 24, 10am-4pm Tibetan Cultural Pageant: Saturday, Sept. 23, Noon Mandala Dismantling: Sunday, Sept. 24, 1pm Free, Open to the Public, Unlimited Free Parking, Everyone Welcome, Bring Kids During their stay with us, their lovely sacred crafts will also be offered for sale. The sale of these items and donations for their ceremonies and events go to funding the monastery in India. CULTURAL PERFORMANCE PROGRAM, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1PM Welcoming His Holiness The Dalai Lama And Offering Of Mandala. According to Tibetan custom, if His Holiness in not physically present, his holy portrait is displayed to symbolize that he is nevertheless the Chief Guest at the function or gatherings. At the same time, one offers all that one values in the Universe by reciting prayers, and visualizing that one is offering these to the guru or lama. Tashi Sholpa (Good Luck Dance) Tashi Shoelpa is the oldest opera company in Tibet. This dance originally appeared in a dream of the Great Fifth Dalai Lama in 1645 and was performed [...]

2023-09-16T11:35:22-04:00September 16th, 2023|Uncategorized|

Tibetan Monks of Drepung Gomang Monastery Return to Material Culture, July 9-14

Please Join the Tibetan Buddhist Monks of Drepung Gomang Monastery, India, for the Construction and Dismantling of a Sacred Tibetan Sand Mandala. Click Here to Watch the Video Mandala Construction: Tuesday, July 9 – Sunday, July 14, 10am-4pm Tibetan Cultural Pageant: Saturday, July 13, Noon Mandala Dismantling: Sunday, July 14, 11am Free, Open to the Public, Unlimited Free Parking, Everyone Welcome, Bring Kids During their stay with us, their lovely sacred crafts will also be offered for sale. The sale of these items and donations for their ceremonies and events go to funding the monastery in India. CULTURAL PERFORMANCE PROGRAM, SATURDAY, JULY 13, Noon Welcoming His Holiness The Dalai Lama And Offering Of Mandala. According to Tibetan custom, if His Holiness in not physically present, his holy portrait is displayed to symbolize that he is nevertheless the Chief Guest at the function or gatherings. At the same time, one offers all that one values in the Universe by reciting prayers, and visualizing that one is offering these to the guru or lama. Tashi Sholpa (Good Luck Dance) Tashi Shoelpa is the oldest opera company in Tibet. This dance originally appeared in a dream [...]

2024-07-02T15:20:06-04:00August 22nd, 2023|Uncategorized|

Join Us! Harmony for Humanity | A Concert for Turkey and Syria Earthquake Relief

Cedar Diaspora and Material Culture Present: Music and Mezze for Hope, A Benefit for Turkey and Syria Earthquake Relief Sunday, March 5, 4pm – 8pm (Doors Open 3 pm at Material Culture, Unlimited Free Parking) Prefer to Buy Tickets at Door? Not a Problem! Please RSVP:  store@materialculture.com  or call 215-849-8030 Click to View Harmony for Humanity Video JOIN US! Material Culture, Cedar Diaspora, and Norma’s Eastern Mediterranean Cuisine have joined forces with a fantastic lineup of musicians and dancers. Our culture owes much to the region devastated by the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria. We invite you to join us as we use our talents, gifts, and businesses to provide aid to the numerous victims and their families in Turkey and Syria. 100% of the proceeds will go to this relief effort! MENU Hummus and Za’atar Pita Chips • Fattush bruschetta • Simit and Labni • Vegan Walnu • Sambousek • Mini lahmajoun • Spanakopita bites • Micro Shawarma • Fasoulia and pila • Teshkeeli (Mixed) Kabab • Live Music by Barakka, Mustafa Temur, Vahe Sarkissian Band, The Mid-East Ensemble, Meesha, and More! • Delicious Mezze by Norma’s Eastern Mediterranean Cuisine [...]

2023-03-03T13:41:54-05:00February 19th, 2023|Uncategorized|

Join Us: The People’s Art of Brazil | Lecture and Book Signing, Dec. 2

Sacred Art: Catholic Saints and Candomblé Gods in Modern Brazil Join Us: Lecture, Book Signing & Refreshments Folklorists Henry Glassie and Pravina Shukla Present an Illustrated Lecture on the People's Art of Brazil, based on their monumental new book: Sacred Art: Catholic Saints and Candomblé Gods in Modern Brazil Saturday, December 2, 2PM Free, Open to the Public Unlimited Free Parking Books Available for Purchase São Benedito by Edival and Izaura Rosas, Salvador, Brazil. Yemanjá by Francisco Santos, Salvador, Brazil. Sacred art flourishes today in northeastern Brazil, where European and African religious traditions have interacted for centuries. Professional artists in the Northeast create images of the Catholic saints and the African gods of Candomblé to meet the needs of a vast market of believers and art collectors. Over the past decade, Henry Glassie and Pravina Shukla, folklorists trained in anthropology, have conducted intense ethnographic research in the states of Bahia and Pernambuco, interviewing the artists at length, photographing their processes and products, attending Catholic and Candomblé services, and finally creating a comprehensive book, governed by the understandings of the artists themselves. Nossa Senhora Desatadora dos Nós by Rosalvo Santana, Maragojipinho, Brazil. Beginning [...]

2019-02-03T11:30:23-05:00October 27th, 2017|Store News|

Lecture & Book Signing | Howard Finster’s Amazing Visionary Legacy

Lecture, Auction Exhibition, Book Signing, Film & Refreshments | Saturday, October 14, 2017, 2pm Howard Finster Howard Finster’s Amazing Visionary Legacy: So Was He the “Backwoods William Blake” and the “Southern Andy Warhol”? An Illustrated Lecture by Norman Girardot, Author of Envisioning Howard Finster: The Religion and Art of a Stranger From Another World (University of California Press, 2015). Accompanied by a short Film entitled “I Can Feel Another Planet in My Soul: The Remarkable Story of Howard Finster” by David Fetcho, Susan English Fetcho, and Steven Pattie Free, Open to the Public, Unlimited Free Parking 360 Degrees of Fine, Folk & Outsider Art Live Auction: Sunday, October 15, 2017, 11AM EST Exhibition: October 13-14, 11AM-4PM Browse the Auction Catalog and Bid Live on these Portals:   Absentee Bid Form | Telephone Bid Form | Terms and Conditions (PDF) Browse the Virtual Auction Print Catalog Norman Girardot, University Distinguished Professor, Lehigh University and Author of Envisioning Howard Finster: The Religion and Art of a Stranger From Another World (University of California Press, 2015) Envisioning Howard Finster: The Religion and Art of a Stranger From Another World (University of California Press, 2015) When Howard Finster died in 2001 (b. 1916), he [...]

2020-01-30T14:33:30-05:00September 25th, 2017|Store News|