Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-01-05
e. wHITsTORE,
Publisher and Proprietor
A BRIC-A.BRAC DEALER.

From London Society,"
Some years since i was the amused
listener to a conversation, let me rather
say lesson, given to two English ladies
by an Israel;tish dealer, if memory fail
me not, at Wiesbaden. What is Frank
enthalY" said the younger, taking up a
cup marked with the c and + interlaced, +,
sarmounted by crown. Tits, Madam" ="
said the dealer, "the name OF the fabric
OF the eiector of Palatine, more ancient
than Sevres; indeed, Sevres copied from
Frankenthal; the Germans, to render
them only justice, produced admirable
specimens Of rare ceramic art. The
ladies' listened as if the man were speak
ing Chinese. Fraukenthal, they
had never heard the name; Sevres
and Dresden were about the limit of
their knowledge as to porcelain. And
how do you know one class of china
from another?" said the elder. By
the mark; but far more so by the eye
and practical experience" he replied.
." All fine, rare specimens are for the
most part marked; but even marks from
the same fabrics vary according to the
era of their production and value.
Frankenthal, as | have shown you, bears
the cipher and crown, old Dresden
crossed swords, the Marcolini period
headed with a star land modern also,
observed to myself, Vienese is
known by French horn, Venice bee.
hive, Berlin a scepter, Mayence wheel,
A for Antoinette, surmounted by a
crown, called porcelaine de la Refine; IN
fact, during the eighteenth century all
the States of Europe rivaled one an
other in the production of the most
chaste works of art. Fine pieces Of Chel-
sea were represented by a small gold
anchor, while Wattenn adorned with his
inimitable pencil specimens of Dresden.
No wonder, therefore, they were, and
are priceless. In those days the art of
painting on china was exquisite, as wit
ness some of the works of Sevres, Buen
Retro and Dresden; and as elegant as
much of it is in the present day. The
past was a reality, the presents fiction,
and first rate works are daily becoming
more rare and expensive" " Then
what does your shop contain, Melnher,
for which you ask so muchY added the
lady. "I thought / knew something Of
old china; it appears that / know little
or nothing" Excuse me, madam, less
than nothing; much less than l
knew when | first invested my
whole capital, not twenty pounds, in a
Ssvrss vase that / / sse!!dd sse!!dd Cor Cor q hundred,
and which was the foundation, at least
of competence, to a man in my posi-
ton. You ask me how / gained knowl-
edge of the art? By reading, attending
sales, watching and marking the opin-
ions of others, losing to-day by knowing
too little, and believing that | knew
more than my neighbor; gain
ing the next, having found out
nv error by practice and care. The eye
can only be educated through the mind.
The articles | have for sale are neither
the worst and certainly not the finest
specimens of ceramic art. Some are
equal to the past, most superior to toe
present. Yet, be assured, years OF ex-
perience, practice, and theory are not
sufficient to obtain that perfect knowl-
edge necessary 10 select the good from
the had. and you may die ere you obtain
It. Although there are men who have
risen from the most humble positions in
life to far superior prac tical knowledge
than those of a higher class who fancy
thew know more. Do you visit Paris,
madam ? If so, attend the sales in the
Rue Drouot; l fancy they are q most
daily in the season. If known dealer
bids a hundred francs for work of art
you may safely bid ten more; though,
iorso0th, there are some persons who
know where TO place their purchases at
any price, in these days of Manchester
millionaires. "
confess having felt 20 interested in
the remarks Of this dealer that, having
seeared few moderate articles, spbse-
ouently paid him many visits and gained
form his knowledge and kindness some
valuable information. If memory fails
me not. he stated that he formerly kept
a small grocer's shop; but, having be-
come by chance the owner of an elegant
and well shaped majoliea vase--or jar
the ceramic passion touched his heart
and the produce Of the sale OF his hum
Bile shop was soon converted into bric'a'