The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-08


 the essential difference between the
 bizarre decoration and that done by the best decorators, and she is able to ex- anime critically examples of decorated porcelain and to place them in the class to which they properly belong.
 Probably in no other way will she more l readily appreciate not alone the artistic value of china decoration, but will be able to determine for herself the price of rose jardiniere or a toast cup or a 1 get of plates.
 1 The average woman Is fairly staggered at the prices which they consider the china decorators put on their work" and when she examines d jardiniere dec- orated with sun1owers, or plate painted in purple blackberries, she is apt to con sider the price eXorbitant The china dee- orators have accomplished a great deal In gradually bringing the public up to their standards, and the gradual but permanent awakening to the possibilities of china painting, it's right to be classed with the work of the old masters is rev olutonizing the art world,
 This revival in china decoration seems essentially to be the work of women dec- orators as many woman artists are win .ning distinguished honors in the keramic world.
 It Is generally conceded, however, that 1t is a man-Mr. William Lycette-to whom America is indebted for the first | keramic art movement. 1 Mrs. Morgan, chatting in her studio re- gently paid an eloquent tribute to MT. l Lycette when she said she was indebted l to him for all of her earlier inspira tion.
 "It was his encouragement that made i me what l am today" said Mrs. Morgan. l " finder 1 his instruction l am sure must feel as I | do."
 1 MT Lycette," continued Mrs. Morgan Ifs regarded as the pioneer of china paint ing in America and no one has ever pro- duced more conscientious work of so high an order of artistic merit.
 MT. Lycette came to this country from England in 1861 and it has been said that his artistic career in America represents the history of China painting in the United States
 Tt may not be generally known that table service of French china was or dered for the White House during MT Lincoln's second term and MT. Lycette was commissioned to paint it. The design was a duplicate of former set but the work of MT. Lycette was so distinctive | and more carefully executed, that while | the historical service has been long since l piece of the Lincoln service was recently added to the keramic collection of pub | lie museum in Europe.
 | "The commencement of the first keramic art movement in America continued | Mrs. Morgan, was due to Mir Lycett, in whose work many wealthy and prominent women became interested.
 Many of MT. Lycettes pupils became prominent as artists The founder of the Redwood pottery sent some of her ear Her experiments to MT Lycette to be fired, and the successful operations of his
 kiln furnished the material for MT George l w. Nicol's book on Pottery and How 1t is l Made
 | MT. Lycette received numerous commits sions, notably that of reproducing on the | front of a New York house the decora- l tions of the famed Moorish palace of the l Alhambra, the most extensive piece of | work ever accomplished by a china paint 1 er in this country. As early as 1851 MT. | Lycette's paintings were exhibited at the | first of the ~reat internatie~"' expostions | at Hyde Park London, and were repro | duced in the illustrations of some of the | art journals of that day. | He has covered a great range of sub jects and the organization of schools of