New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-08-26
THE SENRES VASES.

THEIR SUPERIORITY TO OTHER DIsPL AYs-EX-
cgILrNCE or NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
VAsEs-BEAUTY OF DESIGN.
lFRoM OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRibUSE''
PHILADELPHIA, Aug 1o.--In Memorial Hall there
are % Sevres vases all of modern manufacture eX-
hibite,l by the Government of France In noticing
these vases it will be well to bear in mind that they
represent the finest JcJrqae in the word-an lnstitu-
ton which is both mandatory and school OF
art whose productions have been copied lar ana
WIDE over Europe; whose best work is incomparably
the most beautiful and thoroughly artistic porcelain
product known. 1t would not. therefore, be fair to
nudge Sevres porcelain by any other standard than
its own. 1t is but poor praise to say that these
vases-in color, auality and form-arc the finest III
the Exhibition. That is SO much matter OF course
that il is but just in the Govemment-which does us
especial honor by sending thcm-to enter them SIM
ply as display and not for competition. Yet such
poor praise as this unfair comparison amounts 10 is
all that be given these vases. Judging them by
the biab standard of Sevros excellence they axe III
felior | am now speaking of the collection as a
whole; | shall note the exceptions presently.
Pate teadre is PROFESSIONALLY the most precious
and beautiful porcelain ever produced 1t Is also
the most difficult of all pottery to manufacture III
is a purely chemical composition, very soft ana
vitreous. and can be welded like glass; indeed It's
inventors being persuaded that Chinese porcelain
was kind of glass, proceeded to compound a paste
on that theory. It's Chief artistic pecuharitS con-
sists in its combining with the glaze and thoroughly
incorporating the coors of the painting with IT. AS
IL is fired at low heat the richness Of the co!ors re-
mains unimpaircd. The scale of these coiors is TOO
long to be given here, but they comprise the most
beautiful known TO chemistry. Bisa de 7o, Oiea
CELESTE and rose Da Barry Po@padoarl, are some OF
them.
The best period of pGio ioadre was from 1888 to
1900. By a royal edict, after the king became pro-
prjetor of tine works, all other factories were re-
stricted to the manufacture of porcelain painted
with blue figures in imitation of Chinese ware. Inc
marks during the best period were a double with
a letter of the alphabet, beginning with \ then
donbe letter in the same sequence. During the i'e-
public the marks were various. Ii is curious Tact
that S,yres possesses no collection Of her finest
wares made during this epoch. The best and largest
collections are owned in England. AS a specimen oi
the value attached to the pieces, may cite the last
sale of the ware which was of any Importance wien
a set of three jardiniercs brought tlC,ooU
Ia return to the display in Memorial Hall. The
forms of the vases are exceedingly varied, and, ac
cordi1g TO the custom at Styres are given 10
them either from their special shapes OF Ornamental
lion. or from the names OF the designers. Tie largest
Bomauiart of the premiere grandeur. II resembles
an Urbno vase in the swelling contours Of the body
the curved lip and the narrow neck ana base. The
handles however, are upright, and end IN NhoIis.
II stands nearly seven feet high It's color Is pure
Translucent white of wonderful brancy, ana the
Glaze has oil tie smOoTlness OF mirror. Yet the
very chemical qualities which give tins magnificent
result render rich surface decoration impossible.
The extreme hardness Of the glaze prevents the
colors from incorporati with it, and they ho cX
posed upon the surface The composition ana
paintinr are by ". BarTot IL represents the Genus
of the Arts and Sciences, a naked child sitting
crossed legged in the calyx of sunil0wer, hoidihs
the compasses in one hand and the globe III the
other The drawing Of the figure ~ convention
Allied and is well done, The diverse OF the vase has
the same design. Butterflies are introduced hying
inward frora the base OF tho plant and
olf stars are scattered sparngly over the white
surface. Git RAYS radiatc from around the Genius,
and barmonize well with the flower. The leaves and
e,, are so ranged as TO decorate the lower part OF
fine vase and spears of rpened grain are introduced
obout the handles. A blackberry vine, conven-
tionaIly treated is painted around the p!inth Blue
and gilt is sparingly introduced in the decorations OF
the upper and lower members OF the piece, ana there
ia great deal of the same color and gliding in the
handles which end below in rosettes and ducks
heads
Ibave described this vase at some length, because
il ay be taken typical specimen OF the coilec-
ton ard of the condition of the art OF design IN
France at the present time The drawing 10 uiiver-
sally good the composition giving prominence to
the central idea is carefully studied and the conven-
tional treatment is excellent yet the result is not
satisfactory. 1t is over-fancful. 1t lacks an art
feeling II pleases for the moment, for it has all the
eferyescence and sparkle of wine, but you 90 back
tn il again and il is stale. On either side of this
| vase. which stands in the rotunda, are pair OF
small (Pars) vases in pate tendre of that beautiful
color known az beu de rO They are admirably deco
rated in an Oriental manner with cOlored ename's IN
| relief and gold. A few flowers are introduced into
the design but the richness of the body color which
seems fairly to absorb the light, and The brilliant con-
trast betwee the enames distract the mind from any
attention to the detail Of the pattern. The only Other
specimens of pdtc tendre pair OF vases i'll the
French court where the rest of the Sevres exhibit is
arrangedl, decorated by NJ. Eugene Froment. They
are Of premiere grandeur, standing some 80 inches
high They are prettily painted with groups Of
little Cupids swinging on trapezes, and playing with
the emblems OF the arts and sciences The zone
which contains the figures is Of delicate buff
color; above and below it the two colors gros bIeu
and bIea CELESTE are beautifully contrasted by
besoue of the lighter tint, disposed upon the darker
shade Tho plinth is decorated with brilliant
enamel colors. or the other vases, tall one of
Chinese shape, painted by NJ Barre, is noticeable for
the harmony and dolicacy Of its colors The ground
il celadon, on which are perfect wilderness OF
grasses and wild flowers. Another vase of modified
form of tie same shape is of bright canary yellow
color, with medallions containing we'll drawn and
painted flowers. The arabesqus decoration Of this
piece is painted on with paste tpde dapplication)
better and charming example of this process is q
nratar-shaned xasa decorated with birds and flow