Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1895-01-11
BRITISH DECORATIVE All.
It Has Suffered Marked Decline DuriH
Recent Years.


Recent Years.
The decorative branches of the pot
ter's art are probably those which have
received the least attention of those who
are frequently writing upon other de-
partments of the craft. 1t would seem
that the exploits of the thrower, the
achievements of the turner and the
handicraft Of the presser have for them
the greater attraction. Yet the finished
work of these artisans plays but small
part in the general commercial world OF
buyers. These latter gentry look not
only for form, but for decoration OF
some kind or another upon which their
customers may feast their eyes.
Unadorned white or ivory is not con-
sidered by them, like nature, adorned
the most; hence they ask for printed,
gilded and painted goods. And i'll these
departments there have been in late
years many changes of which it may
prove interesting to take note. There is
no longer the wide demand for classical
subjects or for rural scenes that used to
exist. A simple, Towering spray, few
tangled fern leaves, with a seashell of
some kind or other or bird fixed upon
a piece Of bamboo work satisfies the gen.
eral public. And this kind of work, we
are told, can be produced by workman
who has but little skill in his art. If
this is so, it is to be regretted, but we
give the opinion as expressed by past
master of the art
Then the cost of such productions is
small, and one plate engraving will
serve to decorate not only complete
dinner service but also tea and toilet
service. Alas for the art as practiced
but few years agol Another depart
ment of decorative art which has suf-
fered of late in its prestige is that Of the
glider. He used to be an artist of no
mean repute, as many of the old dinner,
tea and dessert sets will prove. How
rich was his treatment in gold on vari-
GUS devices and patterns and how proud
our sires used to be 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
the most part gone excepting in few of
our principal manufactures, where the
highest specimens of the potter's craft
are produced.
Yet, it may be said how, then, do
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
" low wage as compared with the male.
Then, again, it is not, for the greater
part, the "old English" gold you see
upon the ware, but an imitation known
as "bronzc," but which is not of dura-
BILE nature. But these changes in the
struggle for wealth and not for art, 1t
is to be presumed, must be endured, al
though in the end we pay dearly for
them. The position of the male artist is
again usurped by the competitive de-
mand for cheapness in the painting de-
partment, though we do not think to
the same extent as his fellow worker,
the glider.
Yet it is difficult for many first class
painters to find constant employment
owing to the demand which has been
fostered for cheap painted ware. A
daub to represent a flower or foliage Is
deemed sufficient, and hence good paint
ing is not so sought after-only upon
expensive artware-as il used to be.
But change may be expected and is
sure to come in a claim for better art
ware with an increasing trade, and then
the art workman to whom we have re-
ferred may possibly reap an advantage
British Pottery Gazette