The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-23
THE FRENCH DEPARTMENT.
SEYkES PORCELAIN,


Those who visit the French department cannot
but admire the brilliant exhibition of Sevres porce-
lain. This city has long and justly been celebrated
for the perfection to which the art of manufacturing
china has been brought, in which it exceeds any
other city in Europe. The first specimens of porce.
lain, as our readers aware, came from China,
fiom which it derives its name. The best Chinese
porcelain is of very fine texture, white scmtrans-
parent, and sometimes beautifully colored and gilt.
1t is infusible and not subject to break by the sud.
den application of heat or cold The Chinese term
for the article, says McCulloch is tscki but the
Portuguese, by whom it was first brought in con-
siderable quantities into Europe, bestowed on it the
name of porcelain from porcella, cup. After
porcelain began to be imported, its beauty soon
brought into great request, Notwithstanding
its high price, as an ornament for the homes
and tables Of the wealthy. The emulation of Eu-
rOpean artists was in consequence exerted
but very little information was, however, OBJ
tanned, as to the mode Of manufacturing porce-
lain till the early part Of the last century when the
process was developed in letter from French Jc-
suit in China, who had found means to make himself
pretty well acquainted with the subject. The know
ledge which thus transpred, and the investi cations
of Reamur and other chemists, prepared the way for
the establishment of the manufacture in Europe 1t
was first commenced at Dresden, which has been
famous since for the beauty of its productions;
but have already said, the finest specimens of
European china are produced at Sevres, in France.
The manufacture of this article in that city carried
on at the expense of the French government.
Some of the finest specimens of Sevres porcelain
in the exhibition is that displayed in the French de-
partment, by La Hoche, from Paris. Among these
noticed beautiful dessert service Of plate,
sisting of thirty eight pieces, each Of which is
quisitely embellished with designs of flowers round
the edge while in the centre is portrait of some
celebrated historic parsonage Of the Court of Louis
the 13th 14th, or 18th. The name of each person
is marked on the back of the plate Besides these,
there table, tea and coffee and crystal services
Some very handsome lamps candelabras, and orna-
mental vases are exhibited by the same manufac-
tuIer These, we are informed, took the prize at the
Worlds Fair in London. One of the most beautiful
objects in the whole collection is centre piece,
which is coHstru tied to serve either tor the
centre of the table diner, or ornament for
the parlor Another beautiful specimen Of the per-
lection to which the manufacture can be brought is
the combination of the candelabras and flower vase.
II is the largest piece in the whole collection and is
formed almost entirely Of porcelain. The vase is
supported by om0rs or cupids, and Is exqusitcy
embeished on the sides with scenes from heathen my.
thology. From the centre of the vase arises mag
ncsnt candeabra, and in the centre Of this again is
a solar lamp. 1t might be supposed this strange
combination would have bad effect; but the artis.
tic and ingenious manner in which the work has
been performed renders 1t one Of the most exquisite
ornaments we have ever seem In addition to these,
there is curiousy contrived clock, the dial plate
Of which, instead Of being fat like that Of ordinary
timepeces, is cylindrical, and is made to revolve,
like wheel round its axes.
THE MECHANICAL PIANO.
In the same section with the porcelain ware above
| described there Is curious musical instrument,
called the mechanical piano. This has great
advantage over ordinary pianos-it can be pl.ycd
by persons who have no practical knowledge Of mu-
sic. The performer, by turning handle exactly
| similar to that Of hand organ, can play
the most difficult pieces. The mechanical ar
rangement is in some respects different from the
common hand piano, but 1t has also finger board,
and can be played in the same manner. This in
strument cost Ave hundred dollars. The music is set
in very different style from that sold in the music