The sun., 1883-08-19
Art Work for Women.

The question is put to us how much money
a woman can earn by decorating porcelain,
coloring photographs, and kindred employ
ments. AS n rule, not much.
1t is not very difficult to get work Mt color
ing photographs, but it is poor trade and
furnishes no opportunities for advancement
in any direction. In the decoration OF por-
celain over glaze, there are probably not
more than one hundred persons regularly
employed in New York. Most of these re-
ceived their training. such as it is, in Eng
land, France, or Germany. Few are women.
The average earnings for quick and indus
trious workmcn are from twelve to twenty
dollars a week. The highest price is paid to
those who can design and paint groups Of
flowers, birds, seaweed. fishes, and the like
without copy, no two pieces OF such work
being alike.
The lowest wages are given to those who
decorate with gold or various colors ware
which is imported from England, printed
with design in one color. For such work
nothing but neatness. facility, and q sure
hand is requisite. A few persons who have
learned something of the art in this country
are employed, at very low wages. two or
three dollars week, it being found that, as
n rule, they do not work as neatly or as
quickly as the others. No work is given out
to be done at home.
Under-glaze work, in which the colors are
painted on the crude biscuit and fired before
glazing, Is, in this country. done almost
altogether by individuals who have
the firing done for them at some
pottery kiln. Most OF those who practise
this method are amateurs who work for
amusement, and do not often attempt to sell
their productions. Still, there are numerous
| shops where such work is taken for sale. tho
| merchant generally demanding one-half
what the object brings. 1t must be remem-
bered that the decorator, in this case pays
| for the plain ware, for the enamel colors and
prepared gold used on it. and for the firing
| There is very great risk Of brcakage and OF
| spelling from various causes in the kiln, and
| the decorator bears this risk. There is not
much call for this kind of work, but when n
very fine piece Is produced good price may
occasionally be got for it IL sold directly to
| the consumer
A mantel facing OF several large tiles. for
instance modelled in low relief and painted
with figure subjects by NJ. JOSEPH LAUDER,
brought the artist only 500, although Mr..
made, paid five times that sum for it.
Women who already do plain sewing may
add to their income by learning to en-
brolder, but only after thcy have made
some artistic progress. Tho introduction
OF the Bonnaz embroidering machine has
killed the trade that was growing up in
cheap hand embroideries. The pay is from
four to twelve dollars week, but person
capable OF designing may earn much more,
according to ability. The hours are from
half past nine to five, and work is not usually
given out
There is a great deal Of room In all these
businesses at the top of the ladder. In fact
whoever gets there will be all alone In his
glory. But the bottom steps, in most cases
are crowded by people who do not need to
work for living, but who are quite capable
Of furnishing all the poor work that any
body wants.
Carving in wood, painting on various ma
terlals and designing for all kinds of orna
mental work, are often done by women. But
there are few organized houses in any O
these lines which employ women regularly
The Decorative Art Society and the Society
OF Associated Artists quite different con
cerns) would probably give detailed infor
nation about such work to any one applying