The Washington times., 1895-05-05
SUMMER CHINA.
New and Charming Pottery That IN
Quaint aud Cheap.

New and Charming Pottery That In
quaint aud Cheap.
The Introduction OF the new Terre de Fer
pottery makes it possible to furnish a
country house china closet with ware.
not only durable and inexpensive, but of
unique and attractive design Every ar
ticle is individual, though a note of har-
mony runs through each set. Some is
gilt-edged, but most of it is plain, with
pictures proverbs, and notices scattered
over a deep cream tinted ground.
There are plates illustrating the French
folk song blue-frocked boys, tiny girls
In gay petticoats, birds, bats, dogs, play
houses, and what not, portraying the diff
ferent scenes suggestive OF the English
Mother Goose rhymes. RabDelaiS graphic
pen-pIctures have been utilized for an
ther set, the printed legend beneath each
scene recalling the particular incident al
Iuded to.
2cenes from the first and second empire
diversity another dozen plates and the
fashions of French history in all the tur-
bulent times from Napoleon's day down to
the republic of 1870, will furnish forth a
luncheon table and inspire conversation
among the guests. There are set forth the
ekimpy gowns, cross kerchiefs marvellous
hats, and elaborate headdresses Of the flrst
empire, and the flaring hoops, deep fiounces.
demure bonnets, and prim mantles of 1850.
Platesembellished with rollicking baccha-
nal pictures are sold for bachelors parties
and suppers after the theater, the faces al live
with expression and the characters shown
in every imaginable attitude OF drinking
and serving Wine. The piquant features OF
these platters is the apt exclamation in re-
ard to the taste of tie vintage, whether
admirable or disappointing, transcribed be-
low.
Musicians can buy Wagner plates, each
one bearing a likeness of the great master,
a scene from one of his operas, aLd a bar
or two of music appropriate to that par
ucular episode. Lohengrin, Par5Ifal, Tam
0user, Die Walkure, RienZi :t.e operas
represented. Pictures and mdslc ole en-
yraved i'll soft mezzo tints and are especially
pleasing to music lovers.
For SIX dollars and upwards one has a
choice OF the Bretagne Franci plates, also
durable and picturesque. Gay posies dec
crate the edges and peasants in distinctive
costume OF that most loyal of French prov
inces are pictured in the center. Every
piece of this ware is stamped with the an
Eient crest and shield of Normandy, and
all are in characteristic shape, pitchers,
cups, vases, piatters, showing a curve OF lip
or handle that marks Bretagne china.
And old pottery that belonged TO Poland
in the days when that ancient monarchy
owned part of France, has recently been
unearthed, and this new Bretagne ware for
which there is such craze is modelled on
the antique specimens found therein. On
the large meat platters and bread plates
scenes from the old FeudaI days are eu-
grayed knights armed cap-a-pie, bearing
flags and pennons or enormous size +,
mousted on fiery chargers, ,prance across the
entire surface; q castle and mOat, with
draw bridge raised, occupies the center OF
another dish; tournament is shown on
get another.
The urns, vases, aud center-pieces used
for dining-r room and table decoration are
studies of ancient art. Old blue and terra
Gotta are the principal coloTs used in this
ware, and the ground is pale cream, with
out the flesh tint Of the Terre de Fer. The
quaint drinking mugs come 10 consort
with jolly monk pitcher. bit OF peasant
life brightens the surface and notices
cheerful and inspiring furnish food for
thought while drinking. He may do what
he will that will do what he may is
printed beneath the picture OF a shoemaker
bending over his last. THE days should
not seem limp and long when all goes
light and nothing wrong, reads the legend
on a cup where a white-capped maid
feeding her poultry.
Blue delft ware, however, is by no means
displaced by these new favOrites. 1t is
shown in greater variety than ever and cor
responds so well with accessories easy to
secure that it viii always be popular. This
pFim, pictured china is in admirable keep
ing with the tendency for everything an
tique and Individual in home furnishing.
The flowered chintes, gay wall papers and
DID prints so much affected by our grand
mother seem likely to be perpetuated in
pottery, and nothing nowadays is meaning
less.
OLIVE GUNBY.