Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1894-10-13
BRITISH DECORATIVE AT.
1t Has Suffered n Marked Decline During
Recent Years.

Recent Years.
The decorative branches Of the poe-
tors art are probably those which nave
received tho least attention OF those VINO
are frequently writing upon other &c
partments of the craft. It would seem
that the exploits Of the thro"oE' 'ho
achioyoments Of the turnor and the
bandicraft of tho pressor have tor them
the greater attraction Yet the finished
work Of these artisans plays but small
mart in tho general commercial world OF
buyers These latter gentry look not
ONLY for form, bus for decoration OF
some kind or another upon which cheir
customers may feast their eyes
Uuadornod white or ivory is not con-
sidsred by them, like nature, adorned
the most; hence they as, for printed
rildcd and painted goods And IL these
departments there have been IN late
wears many changes, Of which it may
prove interesting 70 take vote Thore IS
no longer the wide demand Tor classical
subjects or for rural scenes that used TO
exist. A simple lowering spray. tow
tangled fern leaves, with seashell Of
some kind or other O. bird MOD upon
a piece Of bamboo work satisfies the gen
oral public. And this kind Of work, We
are told, can be produced BY workman
who has but Ettle skill In his ar', II
this is 50, il Is 70 be regretted ops we
give the opinion as expressed y pa's
master OF the art
Then the cost Of such productions II
small, and one plate engraving viii
serve to decorate nos only q complete
dinner service, but also : :ta sac toilet
service. Alas Cor the art a pr"ct!cod
but few years age! Another depart
,nent Of decorative art whicL has say
fcred Of late in It's prestige Is chat q do
older. Ea used 10 be 81 ARTIST o. 40
mean repute, as many Of TIE old dlp@,r
tea and dessert sets will prove, How
rich was his treatment il gold on vari-
Gus devices and patterns ana how proud
our sires used to bo OF his work!
In the days we are speaking Of the
glider was an important factor in the
decorating shop of any respectable man
ufacturer, and his art had many follow
ers. His occupation is, however, for
tho most part gone, excepting in o few OF
our principal manufactures, where the
highest specimens Of the potter's craft
are produced.
Yet, it may be said how, then, dc
you account for the large quantity Of
gilded ware now seen in the markets.
Easily enough. 1t is not the work OF
the male artist, but of Young women
and girls, who work for a comparative
u low wage as compared with the male
Then, again, it is not for the greater
part, the "old English" sold you see
upon the ware, but an imitation known
IS bronze, Z" but which is not Of dura-
BILE nature. But these changes IN the
struggle for wealth and not for art ii
is to be presumed, must be endured al
though in the end we pay dearly fol
them. The position of the male artist Il
again usurped by the competitive do
mand for cheapness IL the painting de-
partment, though we do not think to
the same extent as his fellow worker,
the glider.
Yet 1t is difficult for many first class
painters TO find constant employment
owing to tho demand which has been
fostered for cheap painted war; a
daub to represent q flower or foliage Is
deemed sufficient, end hence good pelnt-
ing is not so sought aftor--only upon
expensive artware-as it used 70 re,
But a change may be expected pld ::
sure TO como il claim for better at
ware with an increasing trade. and thor
the art workman to whom we have -
forrcd may possibly reap en- adrsntage.
British Pottery Gazette.