, 1881-06-05
ART IN CHICAGO.
Evidences of the Progress Made
by the Ladies' Decorative
i. Art Society.
An Interesting and Highly Creditable
- Display at the Rooms Of That
Institution.
Mrs. Jenkins Limoges 0lass-Historic and
Artistic Pornaits-The LYdian
Gallery Reception.

DECORATIVE ART EXHIBITION.
The rooms Of the Ladies' Decorative Art So
cie1y were thronged last week during the tbree
days set apart Tor the reception of visitors BY
many ladies and gentlemen. who showed
lively and intelligent interest in the very su-
periur art work exhibited by this organization.
1t IS perhaps unnecessary to state that the work
OF the Society, as we'll as the contributed work.
which N ust reach certain standard in order to
receive admft1auce, bears no comparison to
the ordinary fancy work shown at all the lead
ing dry goods stores. and which is said to meet
with ready sale at fnir prices At great retail
store on State street. among much other trnsh
which goes under tho tUtuc Of decorative work,
is always to be 6ccu plaque, which is re-
placed as soou us sold by similar one, covered
with pausies and oats. The pansics grow larger
with each copy until by actuat measurement
they arc now three inches across, while
the oats resemble lilies Of the valley
in all but color. This is only
one Of many atrocities, but it docs seem strange
TINT people who have any eye for torn or color
can either make or purchase things so badly
out of drawing ard SO cumsily put together rs
most Of this store work It probably serves
purpose, however, as do chronos or wood-curs,
in educating the public taste, which first ad-
mlres, buys, then compares, and euds by reject
Ing what at first was satisfactory, and so passes
on to higher and better thinrs. The grent charm
of womcns work lies IN its fidelity to details and
its delicacy of execution. and hand and brain
must combine to produce finished and delicate
work, Nowhere does Que feel the charm Of this
excellence more than while examining the work
Of the Decorative Soclety- The display OF
china painting and pottery, while not very ex-
tens1vc, is extremely good. and includes some Of
the famous Bennett ware from New York, q
number of fine specimens Of Cincinnati
decoration by the members of tho Pottery Club
Of thnt city. and several choice and expensive
pieces by Miss Louise Mclaughlin. President Of
the Club One Of these WAS satau busel Of rich
dark blue, decorated With wheat In but clay in
relief: Another was large jar Of sage-green
shading into blue and gray. and encrcled by
grapevine In high relief. Several pieces Of great
delicAcy and beauty are new here, showing de-
signs inclSed upon the white cIAy<
Chica&u IS also well represented. 4 pitcher
and tall vase OF richly Bennett ware. by
HRS Wright VINO IS one Of The teachcrs Of the
work OF Mrs jenkins aud Mrs. Porter, also sue
cessful workers and teachers here: while tho
china paiutiug Of Mrs. Bond. illustrated By a
blue pitcher enwreathcd by cherry blnssoms,
and plaque Of Strawberries do not suffer by
COMPARISON with contrlbuuons from elsewhere
Among the ncediewOrk novelties which charm
the fancy and delight the eye by their e1Qulst
design and execution is sofa-piilow uade Of
cream sat.n sheettng embroidered With wheat
ears and bordered by band of Ier1a-cotta plush,
finished With heavy cord of the same snnde.
This embroidery is from the hands Of an Eastern
woman. whusc dctt fingers mus1 have inherited
something Of the skill tat made the samples Of
our Krandmuthers such miracles Of patence and
ncatness. Tor, qorifytag as it may be. It is a
fact that Eastern women aEe generally much
better skilled in the uses of the needle than
their Western sisters 4 set of tinger-bowl nap
k,ns ~ith Chinese designs outlined ia silk are
sent by Il Cripple from hospital ID Detrnir, and
are much admired for quatntness and deIi-
rate finish. Another set Of 1rutt-uapkins Of
toftest linen win frtnged edges are crn-
in design: while tides In the old-fashfoncd
sampler stitch are decorated with Kate Green
AwAy hgures and notices l. pre1tytrifte Is
hHndkerchtef-case of lavender satin lined with
quilted white satin and embrofdered with r2ono-
EFams and English violets. Il Roman apron,
which from Its Shape might easily be mistaken