The Portland daily press., 1884-06-28
SOCIETY OF ART.
The Exhibition of Needle VVOrk-sketch of
Some of the More Prominent COntribu-

IOuh
The exhibition of needle work by the Socie-
ty of Art, at their club house, although deic-
lent in rare old laces, antique embroideries,
and most of the handiwork of Eye olden time"
as quite remarkable in its display of home tai
ent and the seIf-evident progress we are max
ing in decorative art.
The room devoted to the exhibition is very
prettily arranged ,one of its prominent features
being handsome brass bedstead, surmounted
with a canopy which is draped with Madras
lace. This is from o ven, Moore & Co.'s and
evidently occupies its present position to furn-
ish the means OF displaying to the best possible
advantage bed set, consisting of spread and
bolster of fawn-colored tassau silk. The spread
is lined throughout with satin, bordered with
silk lace, and embroidered at intervals with
red poppies Singly, in couples and in clusters
they stand out upon the delicate fabric with
contrast in color not unlike that which We OBJ
serve, when, in the harvest field, the poppy's
crimson cheek is laid against the floating corn
silk. A large and especially lovely spray of
popp1es adorns the centre OF the bolster which
is tied with red satin ribbons. This set done
in Kensington, is the work OF Miss Addie Ed
wards, whose skill is manifested in many other
articles, noticeable among which is a window
screen OF pale, golden-green felt, wheronare
threeKensiDgtoa embroidered sprays of this
ties, as perfect in shape and shading as ever
we're thistles Of the field. One partially opened
dropping grace peculiar to the thistle blossom
were broken. Miss Edwards is also represented
by deep green portiere, C24), wherein row
of stately sun.howers admirably when done in
Kensington, and by mantel lambrequin (25)
of dark green felt, having cut fringe and
border of tulips in varied colors. A toilet set
of wine colored satin, finished with cord and
bows to match, and decorated with hand
painted Marechal Mel roses, was also done by
Miss Edwards. A piece of exquisite work is
II Cts
banner, on which is cluster of nasturtiums
done in Kensington. The color stands ont
strikingly upon its dark background, and the
arrangement of the flowers is perfect We
understand that it is q study from nature.
Another beautiful banner is from the house
of Owen Moore & Co.; it is of green plush,
prettily mounted and finished with tassels Of
alternate green and gold. 1t is embroidered
in imitation of branches of an orange tree,
wherein golden fruit and clusters of blossoms
grow side by side. The table also holds among
its treasures a dainty little banner of hand
painted azaleas, done on satin, from Mrs. M.
e. Fairweather. A handsome table cover
bears the name Of Mrs. j. e. Dewitt, and
another % is the property of Mrs. @.
+. Libby. These are both decidedly
Oriental in pattern, and the latter, which is
composed entirely of applique and embroidery,
is the most elaborate thing in the exhibition.
1t was designed by Mrs. Dow of Portland.
Another shows table cover, not yet complet-
60, Is OF green I6lUf omDfOlu6E6u Win gorgeous
red cacti. A table cover from Mrs. l.. G. Cor
don (l5l is of deep green, with plush border.
In one corner Is a spray OF rosebuds done in
ribbon, shading from deep red to pale pink;
the other corner is adorned with long branch
of snowballs. Number IA is also table scarf
of golden brown, finished with plush, and dec
Grated at one end with a ribbon-work spray OF
we'll shaded pink roses and at the other end with
branch of cematis. There Is also table cover
in outline, done in Germany, giving pictorial
account Of the war of thirty years. 1t is a
complicated affair, and "makes one weary to
look at it," said devotee to art. A red plush
sofa pillow by Miss Dunning has cluster of
azaleas for its centre piece, aud a sofa pillow
of plum-colored plush, by Mrs. j. A. Locke, is
adorned with large yellow lilies, the stems of
third sofa pillow is of black satin,
bordered with yellow plush and fin
ished with yellow satin ribbon. The
centre is decorated with plumes of golden rod,
done in French knotting, which is really an
excellent counterpart Of the flower it repre-
SCENTS. but loses something of its charm by
contrast with the vivid gold of the border. A
pretty cushion cover ~ is of crushed straw
berry, ON which, III French knotting, the
sumach with itS vivid blossoms and leaves is
we'll counterfeited. In Anticipated articles
there is screen from Mrs. James B. Libby,
70 years old, darned black lace veil, 70
years old, white linen towel span and woven
from fax twenty-five years ago, and two
curious old samplers.
A black satin cushion (20) by Mrs. @. G.
Durfee, was greatly admired for the beauty of
its red, white and variegated tulips, and a
piano cover, by Miss Libby. of olive green
felt, was very handsomely embroider-
ed with sprays of poppies, rasp-
berries, clemstis excellent columbine
daisies and bachelors buttons. Another
imitation Of nature was some pussy willows
done in chenille on pale yellow pongee tidy.
A handsome mirror belonging to Miss Fair
weather was set in red plush, decorated with
roses done in ribbon work. A baby's skirt (27)
and blanket (26) bear the name Of Mrs. Ger
IRISH. The material Of each is white flannel
and they are worked with great skill and
beauty. The blanket pattern has a scroled
edge and a continuous wreath of fuschlas and
lilies of the valley. In addition to the articles
already mentioned there are bureau aud side
board covers, tides innumerable, toilet sets,
&C., &C., making handsome and commenda-
Bile display. The stitches chiefly used are
Kensington, outline and French knotting.
Applique, filosele, chenille and ali the various
embroidery silks are the principal working
materials.
The exhibition will repay all lovers of art
for attendance, and generous patronage should
express public thanks to the Art Society on
this the closing day.