St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-09-09

LG\Ss Although the first
ms ~ IVY decorated china
o. q the plains of Shi-
mar, and it is said that the worlds his
tory could be traced from many oddly
shaped jugs and vases which have been
traced from ancient time; yet pretty
and unique china still forms so desir-
able an addition, either to the table or
walls of house, that our housekeepers,
as we'll as orr artists of modern times,
still manifest much interest in the sub
ject. ''I'll tell you why women go crazy
over ceramics" said she who knows;
''yOu see many people have some ar
tiStic aptitude-nOt enough, of course, to
enable them to hope for success in
china. thus finding hitting expression
for refined tastes"
"But don't real artists often do this
work, and how can ordinary women un-
dertake it?' questions timid soul.
"Oh, yes" replies she, ''there are
artists who prefer to paint the soul of a
flower on china rather than on canvas.
But the amateur can begin with such
simple designs and just do little bit at
a time; yet the result is cultivation of
her tastes, and often a wonderful i'm
prOvement. Soon you find her attempt
ing pieces which would have been voted
an impOsSibility at first. Then bits of
pottery hung about the walls give an air
of comfort and refinement which can be
attained by no other MEANS" was the
dictum of an enthusiast.
Eyes, L like to decorate china" quoth
a flippant young miss, 81 pay my
teacher ever so much lesson. She
does the painting and hold the brushes,
which makes me think of David Copper
fields Dora holding the pens while he
wrote. When l take the china home,
all my friends just envy me for possess
ing so much talent. They think my
work is charming. So 1t is, only l don't
do much except to pay for it" and she
Sauntered along to look over the fancy
work.
Of course that girl didn't possess
much soul or she WOuld't be satisfied
so easily. There are quite a number of
society ladies in this city who devote
much time to this kind of decorative
work. Some have even travelled in
Europe and Eastern cities in order to
study under the best teachers. You can
hardly estimate what difficulties stand
in the way of good work in this city"
said one lady in pathetic tone. AFTER
the decorating has been done often our
china will be spoiled in the firing. Ne
are obliged to send nearly all the pieces
to Chicago. where they do the work
nicely, but it's quite expensive"
1--WE can't get any clay fit for model
ing in this city as they can in Ohio"
chimes in another, who yearns to eX-
press the emotions of her soul by mould
ing vases in original designs.
Perhaps these sentiments, overheard
from visitors. show some of the reasons
why decorating pottery has been taken
up in this city only by the few who have
ample time and means. Although many
visitors do not know enough about the
art to discriminate between different
grades of work, yet the gentlemen, as
we'll as ladies, usually favor this de-
partment with much attention. Oc-
caSiOnally comes along the tourist. who
hes visited and studied in many cities.
By glancing at the hieroglyphics on the
bottom of dish he can tell whole
history of its design and manufacture.
In contrast comes the Verdant clerk
from crockery store. He glanceS about
turns on his heel. and gives it as his,
valuable opinion that 1.-The whole collec-
ton looks decidedly amateuriSh."
NO EXHIBIT OF ANCIENT POTTERY
has been attempted in the wOman'S de.
partment: with the exception of the
lockwood designs nearly all the work
exhibited has been done by Minneapolis
ladies. Owing to absence from the city
and other unfortunate circumstances,
several good pieces by local amateurs
could not be obtained.
The case containing Lockwood de-
signs is interesting on account of the
history and intrinsic value of the arti-
cles. Mrs. Maria Longworth Nichols
founded the lockwood pottery in Gin
cinnati, o., only few years ago. The
idea was suggested by the Japanese
collection at the centennial. Realizing
the possibilities offered by the superior
quality of modelling clay to obtained in
Ohio, she and few wealthy ladies en-
deavOred to establish a school which
should make American pottery valued
for its art rather than SNOWY decoration.
At first the work was necessarily imita-
tive. but later many original and beauti-
full designs have been produced. Its
pupils come from art schools to their
pottery. and are encouraged to produce
individual work. A process of glazing,
supposed to be lost, has been rediS-
covered, and applied to this work,
which aims to make perfection of
quality and color its leading character
istic. Although not established as a
financial venture, yet orders are often
received for vases and sets whose value
is counted in the thousands. Among
the pieces exhibited here are several of
the earlier designs in dull finish; a
curiously carved antique vase Orna-
mented in dead gold is especially
noticeable.
A game set in Dresden china is con-
tributed by Mrs. Jeanne Rogers Sher-
man, of the art department at Carleton
college. An appropriate scene is pOr-
trayed on each plate. the open work
edges being finished in gold.
Mrs. A. B. Chamberlain has prettily
decorated china set for sale.
Mrs. Clark has large case filed with
china, many pieces being tastefHlly
adorned with clusters of wild flowers.
Two figures are copied from familiar
Pompeiian pictures.
An exhibit of several STYLES of work
by Mrs. William H. Tice attracts favor
able notice. Mrs. Tice has studied quite
extensively in art schools. and her work
is executed with care and fidelity: A
curiOuS-Shaped rose Jar shows back
ground of pale olive green splashed
with gold. and the design poppy and
leaves in natural tintS. A china set i'll
her exhibit has net work pattern in
bright gold. A monogram on the plat
ter forms pleasing and appropriate
decoration. The set is said to be in
tended as wedding gift.
Mrs. Harrington has contributed few
gems from her artistic home. The
pieces attract much attention from their
unique design and setting. The deco
rating was done in Dresden and bears
witness to the artistic work of that
school. In a curiously wrought brass
frame is painting on porcelain of the
"Neapolitan Boy" handled i'll the usual
conventional style.
ONE UPRIGHT CASE
contains pieces painted by prominent
society leaders forming Mrs. Croshy's
art class, who have developed much
artistic talent in this direction. Among
the most notable pieces are a chocolate
pot, in dark red and gold, with long
panel landscape. Also an ice cream
platter, with open work border of gold,