Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-11-04
sEvRss AND aosE1rNs.
COLLECTION sent by France 10 the
National Museum

Collection sent by France 10 the |
National Museum
New York Times
About two years ago the French govern |
ment prepared collection of Sevres por-
celain for the United States National
Museum at Washington, which collection
has been recently forwarded. This col
lection represents the manufacture of
this famous ware in all its details. There
are embraced numerous specimens OF the
clay used, tho vessels for holding the
Objects during the firing, the moulds in
which certain pieces hre cast, various
cups nod vases in different stages of per-
fecting, with others showing the applica-
ton Of color, gliding and ornamentation.
The series concludes with medium-sized
complete vases, specially intended to illus
trate the many shades Of color peculiar to
the factory. In fact the collection repre-
SCENTS the technology of the Seyres
ceramic art. Another set of vases has
idst been received by the United
states National Museum showing
that high artistic perfection for
which Seyres has been famous, an art
due to the hand Of the artist alone, aside
from that which mechanical work pro-
duoss. This latter collection consists of
nine vases, all differing i'll form and
decoration. Three Of them are specially
remarkable. The principal one IL of the
HStepbanus" form, so named after anOted
architect of the last century. This has u
gray ground, the decoration being ara
hesque and the design in color, of the
Ducereeau style, with patterns of the
reign Of Louis XIV Small canoes are
added of the four seasons, modelled by
Dorat. Another Of these three vases is
decorated in Limoges style, tine ground
OF that deep clear blue for which 5eyres
specially noted. The ornamentation Is
circle, or. garland of schildren ia white
enamel, designed by 6ietfert. The third
vase is of Greek form, known as
''Mycen@." The ground is notified
green, encireied Of the top with allegorl-
cal figures, designed by Colbert. All
these pieces are remarkable Tor their
artistic beauty. Their excellence arises
solely IRON highly cultured TASTE, subtle
perception ofthe elegance OF line and form,
and hand cunning beyond the reach OF
mechanical skill. The rest OF the vases
illustrate for the greater part variety Of
forms taken from well known types OF
porcelain. One is an imitation of Saxon
ware, decorated with flowers; another
called the "Gourd Of Asti'' is ornamented
with group of figures. 1.-The Vintage
is small aattened vase, and two other
are copies of antique Chinese patterns
One vase is decorated with nasturtiun
vines in blue on white ground, and oil
such objects as would be- sought after TO
the adornment of drawing room. Th
vases range in prise from 5000 to $40
This value does not, however, presen
tho commercial or dealers price, provid
ing such objects could be bought, bu
the absolute cost to the French govern
ment, as wages of workmen, of firing
and salaries paid designers, modeler
and artists. Such vases, if put on th
market, would in all cases fetch from fiy
to 10 times their actual cost to the Frenc
government.
In addition to the foregoing colleotio
the French government, with the creates
liberality. has presented many specimen
Of lis great manufactures Of Gobelin