The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-08-24
IN THE RUE PARAOlS.
The Great Centre OF the China Dealers or
ParIs-Monogram Goods.

hue Paradis Is certainly the place for
china dealers, for here they all come at
least; almost every door leads one into n
salesroom for china and IL would seem that
about all the world OF china il here % he
seen; not only nearly every house on the
street has it's windows filled with this kind
OF display, but all the rear houses are uti,-
lied 10 array on this vast trade.
II is impossible for well-known Ameri-
can dealer to go far in this locality without
meeting some acquaintance from the other
side, aud many good dinner is the result
Everybody who buys china. whether at
Wholesale or retail, goes 10 the Rue Paradis,
| and the most fashionable carriages find
their way into this narrow old-fashioned
| street.
| The handsomest shops do not differ great
| ~ IN appearance from our Broadway estab-
| lishments. The goods are displayed in the
same manner and the amateur would feel
quite at home in the presence Of all the
| shapes with which we have been so long
/ familiar. Every shape that has ever been
| mentioned in the China Decorator Is 10 be-
! found, and, Of course, many shapes which
we have not, some Of them being unsuted
| to our uses, others not worth importing,
| and the newer and prettier ones we shall
have later.
We have often assured our readers that
ability, the American amateur decorator
cannot be excelled. and if we could add tai
ent, skill, aud application i'm equal proper
tions, there would be little left to he de-
'sired. The decorations are, many of them,
most beautiful, but nothing particularly
new and striking. However the French ce-
ramic artist does not aim 10 make a sensa-
ton in porcelain decorations, but works
rather with view TO the exquisitely beau
FIJI Of nj in oil xxorL a1IpiIs
arabesques, and rocco designs requiring
both skill and patience in liberal quantities,
he certainly eXcels.
We are always reminding our readers
who aspire TO "Frenchy 20 effects. that
study and perseverance, will accomplish
almost everything, but there are many. we
fear. who are yet 10 be cOnyinces. Anna
tours, not only in America, but in Europe
as well. think ii an easy matter 10 become
proficient in china painting but a few at
lempts and some good common sense teach |
them that il is not SO.
A pretty tete-a-tetc set shown in one |
shop was decorated in the following man
ner: An oval medallion on the front Of the |
teapot, sugar and cream, and the cups con- |
tanned some beautifully painted cupids. |
The medallion was encircled by gold work |
in arabesque design. and the remainder of
each piece was tinted light green. The |
MtIt All Eolu. anu tue lUslut Oh |
each piece had a deep band Of gold The |
tray had a large oval medallion in the cen
ter, with an elaborate figure study. and |
smaller one at each corner (althOugh the |
tray was not four-cOrnered.)
As We have often repeated. the finest |
table services are made Ia order and each |
article bears monogram. II is fast be-
coming the universal fashion for every fam
lily who can afford it to have the porcelains
and glassware decorated 10 order. With |
the highest European families such has |
been the custom for "A century, but with the
world in general it is new. No white china
or gold banded is now used, and scarcely "a |
single piece can be found 1T any of the shops.
A new set, just completed for a high
Partisan family. was very simply decora-
ted; the edge of each piece was gilded
richly IN arabesque design i'm light and dark
gray with gold finished the border. The
monogram in the center of each piece was
done in two shades Of gray and gold with
just enough bright red 10 give it life. While
this decoration seems extremely simple on
paper. it was both beautiful and costly on
the porcelain. The shape was one OF tie |
new festOon designs.
Another set. also in festOon sh ape, had al
iernate meGalliOns in the border oC cupids
and arabesque figures in two shades Of
color: "A little burnish gold and white
enamel was also used. One Medallion on
The border contained the monogram, and the
center was ornamented with very elab0-
rate design in arabesque. The soup, fish.
roast, and entree plates and dishes were
decorated alike, but the dessert courses
were Of the most elaborate and costly de-
Table services decorated 10 order are not
shown TO the general public, as the designs
are used but once and are considered tho |
private property of the family who give the
rider, but when the man dlscturcr or dealer
5 convinced that no djsnon0rable adyan-
age will be taken one is permitted TO in
'pect all these beautiful things to the hearts
.OntPnt.-(hina DecOrnfnr