New-York tribune., 1881-03-27
MRS. EICHOLSS POTTERY.
Erom rne Cinelnnais Gasett..

Everybody has heard more or less OF Mrs Nichols's
pottery and. while few were conversant with the
full scope OF her plans many more knowing .s pre-
pretty playhouse affair, where Limoges vases,
19bt light the furnace res of her KILN with
q wisp OF bank notes IL 1t pleased her,
visit yesterday to the pottery. which Is now IN
full operation, demonstrates that 1t - no artistic
experiment to divert a rich womans ennui but
business venture of the staunch6st sort entered into
to supply want which everybody conesses 70 exist
utility with artistic beauty OF form. To make
thing Of common use at the same rDe thing OF
beauty is the highest aim OF the art decorator In ths
Nichols ware this theory is put into tangible shape
There is DO flourish or lavish decoration. but each
piece which goes into the kiln Is as perfect In Shape
and as exquisite IN finish as the craft OF the potter
can make il. Every precaution that the utmost
skill can suggest is used in the preparation OF the
clay, no expense IN time or money Is spared IN tue
designing of the moulds and the hnest manpniatlve
skill Is brought to the simple decoration OF each
piece The result is variety OF articles adapted 10
the uses Of everyday life as perfect as can DC pro-
dueed-vesses adapted 70 sae nGmses. as
the rotund Hydra OF the Greeks.
Among the most generally attractive pieces are
the tea sets in four pieces after the Elder Brewster
pattern These are shown in sage green body, 10
the natural color OF the red Ohio clay IN cream with
bands of pale blue in yellow and creamy white
The edges are beaded and the bodies relieved az top
and base by an incised band, in the pattern known
as the double key border. making very ehaste ana
effective decoration. These sets finished IN gloss
10 saJy or The decorators brush or tool and
when painted, returned 10 the Kiln Tor maj nf'nv,
or they may be had 10 the wet clay ready Tor the
Limoges treatment The same IS true OF all pieces
made 10 the works. They may be had IN any stage,
IRON the wet clay t leaves the hand Of the potter
10 the finished piece ready for the table and every
facility for firing Ia offered, either In under or over
glaze biscuit printing at the choice Of the buyer
There is no oil legation at all to take set u you
covet cream jug. take IL and leave the other pieces
a,,,o aoff he ina
and leave that. Mrs. NicholsS mind IS not OF the
commercial sort that would force anybody to take
The line of What our English friends call Jugs
and the American cousin designates as pitchers"
is altogether admirable Milk jugs water jugs beer
jugs. caret jugs chocolate Jugs ana many ~
name whisa is to render description supernuous
The Havilaud and Doulton shapes arc conspicuous
can and Roman ideas. One style has the graceful
Etruscan handle aud the broad lip like lower
TAI porcelains. Another copies famous poulton
shape the melon body, with plain, deep band az
the neck Many show the rldgy lines of the pctters
% coursing half their depth. the upper bali being
ouits paIn and seeming 20 set into the lower part
as in q wicker basket All these admirable shapes
are furnished at price scarcely In excess OF what Is
in many graceful shapes are another speciality.
Some with deep foot and faring top copy
shapes familiar 10 silver plato Others are
ware The tubs are perhaps the prottiest of ALA
beaded border finished top and bottom, the open
ears serving handles. The swell thing at the pot
terry, however Is big yellow tub for the footbath.
copied after cedar tub exactly, with an earthen
bucket with brass mouutings en- suite. Water
coolers still other handsome noyeliies-deep lars
holding an earinen receptacle for water Several OF
these Mrs Nicnols has given touch Of decoration,
/ in that Free broad style whIch marks her work
| sThe Cincinnati Pottery, as Il has been named, =
nractcal pottery, complete in every detail, FUR
nishad with the latest improvements In machinery
| and equipped with full corps of skilled workmen
| Ia every department; working pottery !.as toa.
dee 10 make its productions preemiuent 10 shape,
fabric aud finish. The kilns are buit wi,n tna
greatest care aud are adapted for oyergaxr unus,
paid TO the glazing aud burning OF decorative wate
| as a speciality Of the pottery and worry gtauiylns
| results have been attained. A kiln 10 drawn COCO
| and sometimes twice . week, and careful expert
| ments are In constant progress.