The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-01-28

even good painters sometimes fail to
produce. No description can do JUS
tice te this magnificent specimen Of
cloisonne.
From the same artist was purchased
a samurai sword, whose scabbard is Of
cloisonne done in delicate shades of
gray on black background, the whole
being further ornamented with bands
of steel damascene inlaid with gold.
A pair of cloisonne vases in robins
surfaces of solid color, absolutely
fawless.
Perhaps the best specimen of this
art is small vase of rich diapered
design and variegated coloring peculiar
to the Kioto productions. This little
vase is from the hands of Namkawa,
another eminent manufactures, three of
whose splendid vases, whose value was
, into the thousands, were ready for ship
ment to the world Is fair at st. Louis
when DR.. and Mrs. Engstad visited his
studio.
The Mystery Of Cloisonne.
AS art students know, the manufac-
ture OF cloisonne originated with the
Chinese, but in some unknown way the
Japanese obtained the secrets Of the
| art, and have carried it to high degree
of perfection.
The articles made are formed of cop
per, that takese the desired shape by
hammering and soldering; the figures
to be enameled are etched on to- show
where the tiny strips Of silver are to be
soldered; then a solder of borax and sill
| yer is made to form the outline of the
| pattern, while the enamel whose ingre-
| dients are all found in China, and
whose composition is secret, is re-
duced to paste by heat, and filed in
| each cell of the pattern. It is fred
several times, as firing shrinks the
paste, and repeated applications are
necessary to make a smooth surface,
and to bring out the design. The quail
ity of the ware depends upon the skill
in mixing the paste and fusing the col
ors. The slowness of the work. and it's
mystery explain its costliness.
The Making of Satsuma.
The Satsuma ware included in the
collection is modern. The so-called old
Satsuma is difficult to obtain. com
mands fabulous prices, and has been so
cleverly counterfeited that even
Learned connoisseurs have been de-
ceived. A tiny tea pot and sugar bowl
are from the hands Of Ban Kin Fan, a
famous Satsuma manufacturer of Kobe,
Japan. In his studio, the traveller is
treated with charming courtesy. He is
served with most fragrant tea, savoring
of jasmine buds, and partaken from
| delicate egg shell cups. Mr.. Ban Kin
Fan has not acquired modern business
methods, but clings to the old-time
school of courtesy. His assistants
work in an adjoining room, kneeling on
small cushions while they ply their diff
fcult trade.
The finest Satsuma calls for tremen-
dous strain upon the eyesight, because
of its minuteness; every individual
strand of hair must be painted and
, even the pupils of the eyes represented
with fidelity, even tho the entire figure
could be easily covered by a fngertip.
1t is only with the aid of a powerful
magnifying glass that such work can be
appreciated.
Three fine pieces of modern Satsuma
are shown in the illustration of the
lacquered table, one standing upon the
tabouret, and the tiny teapot and
sugarbowl in the foreground.
The kakemona or wall hanging is
fifty-three by sixty-four inches in size,
and is framed in cloth of gold done in
conventional designs. This magnif-
cent specimen of the embroidered s art
represents the patient work of years;
every stitch is set with exactness, and
the delicate shading is a good exam
pie of Japanese work at its best. The
plumage of the storks is especially
fine, and the reeds seem ready to wave
in the wind.
The collection contains many other
fine articles, carved worries, bronzes,
: swords, antique incense burners, wall
hangings, enamels, cloisonne, satsuma,
and also paintings from each country
visited.
The value of the collection lies III
the fact that, unlike some, it has not
:, been selected at random from irrespon-
sible dealers, but has, in most cases,
come direct from the artists or manu-
: facturers themselves, and DR.. and Mrs.
| Engstad have an intelligent and dis
) eliminating taste that has been salts
fed with nothing less than the best.
FLORENCE Bunce.