Milford chronicle., 1893-08-04

noured with fine touches. Ihen lhe mn
Silver was beaten up between the layers OF
delicate enamel. Nine years was 5he
maker of this amazing piece at work be
tore he succeeded in finishing a bowl Win
ont breaking it with the light blows oil MS
hammer How many bowls were destroyeo
before a perfect one wGs obtained Only the
,,,al-s,. co1Ild tell. but for his perseverance,
he asks a reward OF 50, ,0GO. OF course inc
tyinl-et Is not worth that SUM froua any
standpoint of art value, but If one wants a
howl that IS absolutely unique and that no
one will try to initiate be should purchase
this.
Visitors are impressed by the fact that
ne n rnle tic Japs have small prices on
their articles In their wonderful clois
onne ware, their porcelains and similar
goods their prices are from to oVO per
cent. below those Of the European makers
of articles Of approximately the same
Grade. Many Americans are taxing al
vantage of this fact, and for ten twenty
or ffty dollars are buying vases, bowls
plates and great variety OF trlnkets
which in amy OF the European secIlohs
would cost hundreds OF lollars.
1t is in clOisonne the Jeps show their
most artistic touch. All visitors are
shown just how the wave isinade by means
of various stages OF the process, First the
design is engraved upon copper pllIe'
Then fine wires are ceInepted into the
lines made by the engraver's tool. In the
third process q certain quantity of the pot
ter's clay is pressed between the lines Of
wire. painted and sent to the kiln to be
fred Then another lot Of clay, that for
another color in the process of building up
the picture, is put in and painted and nred
in turn. Thus from four to eight and
sometimes ten and twelve layers of clay
are added and fired. With this tedious
and delicate process the Japs produce won
derful effects
Some of their ware is surprisingly cheap,
other pieces are rather costly. For IN
stance, a small pair Of cloisonne vases sell
at $3.50, though near by is pair almost as
fine that are marked $40. The best thing
here in cloisonne, according to the Japa-
nese commissioner, who escorted me
through the section, is pair of flower
vases Of purple back ground, five feet high
and worth &, 800. Another pair, covered
with exquisite chrysanthemums is valued
at S3, 500, but the commissioner said while
more snowy than the other it was not as
artistic. The prettiest thing saw was
little tea set, pot, cream and sugar
bowls, and only two cups and saucers. 1t
is not expensive-S50-but us dainty and
Charming as it is possible for anything to
be. The design is flowers, and each leaf
of the growth is not much bigger than a
pin-head but OF rich and perfect coloring.
OF course the Japs must show what they
can do in their nationad wood, the wonder
fuI RamboQ, sSRsy<have here a carved
cabinet of that wOS9d valued at sl'SOO. ~
one case they show aosen Waiklhg SUCKS
Of young bamboos, v taed from ~ cents TO
$40 each. At first sign you would say tne
20 cent one was nearlN as nne as the ~
stick, but closer exam patton VIII snow
YOU that the latter is mad Nniticently carved
and inlaid. These sticksN nnd ready pur-
chasers,
The lacquer ware is hereNin immense
variety. We are all more or lesS familiar
with this ware, but here you scents won
derful possibilities. Take for exatnple a
lacduer screen, in four leaves, set irA a base
of carved wood and Ornamented in gold
and painting. You never beheld anything
more gorgeous in all your life, and with
play of fire-light upon it paradise would
be well initiated. Yet the price is only
s2,5OO.
1t would take columns to describe even
the most noteworthy things which the
Japs show here in profusion. They have
magnificent embroideries on silk, done by
men, and worth hundreds Of dollars the
square yard. They show avelvet tapestry,
about eleven feet square, which IS priced,
and not exorbitantly, at $500. They
show chamber set, bed, washstand and
bureau, of such beautiful inlaid work that
one considers the price, 81, eco, but a mere
bagatelle. They exhibit nobleman's par
lor, in a little pavilion all its own, and
with faithful imitation of all the details
and furnishings that wonld be found in
the apartments Of a rich japanese gentle
man. They have pair of screens painted
in embroidery with gold thread that is
worth 81 $50, and occupied one man two
years in making.
The Japs contribute one of the most in
teresting exhibits in the Art palace. IN
horticulture they show acres of roses and
other flowers, In the Agricultural build
ing they have a splendid exhibit of then
surprising resources and preparations, and
In the Forestry building still another On
the plaisancc they have bazar where ali
the cheaper ware is for sale at moderate
prices, and on the shores of the lagoon
they have set up tea house which is one
of the most delightful featur : of the fair.
WALTER WELLBIAN.