The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-05
NOVEL CHINA ORNAMENTS.
Beautiful italian Plaques and Has Relief
Pieces In Glazed Blue and white.

Beautiful italian Plaques and Has Relief
Pieces In Glazed Blue and white.
Something strange, out Of the ordinary. at tho
china stores this year are ths italian plaques
and bas.relief pieces In highly glazed blue and
white ware. intended for library or drawing
room decoration. Twenty dollars or $25 will
buy one of the medium sized plaques. and q
single bust or figure can be got for SO. There
Is u little green introduced in the drapery of
some of the figures; others are all white against
the blue background. The expression and pose
Of the subjects having been preserved through
all the glazing and baking necessary in pottery
Is what gives this work special value.
Made In o factoryH" says the Italian pro-
prietor. horror struck at this question from o
shopper. Indeed no. Each piece Is made In
dividually. 1t was in the thirteenth century
that the artist-sculptor discovered the secret of
q glaze that would not harm or change the ex-
preston. Tho art has been practiced since in
England. France. and Germany. but mono has
made them quito so good as these Luca della
Robbia pieces, and none like these has been
brought to New York before.
Tho Delft blue is not at all like this"
and he looks disguised. Tho Dutch blue has
nothing to do with this. This blue 10 the blue
Of the sky-soft, hazy; you can see depth in 1t.
You notice all Of these subjects are religious,
typical 6f devotional spirit, the Virgin, the
Christ. the chorister boys. the monks, tho altar.
When the artist first created these designs tho
clustered. and everything took its tone from
that. That 10 why we import many of these
inst now for the holy season, the holiday gift.
This blue will harmonic with tho decorations
Of any room. where it is put"
Certain Of these bas.relief studies show a
ers at the one book used between them. Books
were not plenty IN those days. The attitude Of
faces, are a study. They look severe. intent, az
though their attention might not easily be di.
c eeaefas ' the cPS1in lssn Of sn the SP fesh;. as A II dhey
plaque shows the Virgin Mothers head thrown
S Span in str ,ps , osli e6n against 8, the theor rich a,6 blue Us, back sa;
glaze over i ali. This piece Is medallion IN shape
Ths bust Of q friar bnttoned up to the chin in
the pose OF head and shoulders. A workman in
his crudely made working dress Of green and
on his face as If he had just stopped to attend
some ONE plous Invocation. is another little piece.
ures in the Collection, except neupStuft the y v virgin 2t NJ r.
those early Christian days of Rome and Flor.
all worldly subjects were discountenanced.
In those days they tool, the Venus's bath
the china PLAQUES; land al the finely beauti
gods and goddesses were modified to suit the
popular demand for Christian subjects"
One of the most interesting Of these glazed
china studies is a group Of half-grown boys sing
ing from a script or scroll strung along between
them. The earnest, unworldly faces, intent or
their task, some with curly locks, others with
hair straight and plastered, are each different In
expression. and their feet and legs. where the
scant robes leave them bare, are in careless
natural pose. Usually. faces depicted with theil
mouths open. are likely to be tiresome. but thest
give O reverse Impression. This relief is worth
$50. The background is the same soft, hazy
blue as the others. There are studies Of Christ
both in infancy and as an adult.