New-York tribune., 1907-04-15
EXHIBIT OF CERAMICS.
Ne1c Features of AnnuaI Shoe of
Ne5c York SOciety.

The exhibition of the New York Society Of
Keramic Arts, which has been in progress for
the last ten days at the National Arts Club, No.
ll9 East 18th street, and which closed last even
ing recalls 10 those who can remember so far
back the small beginnings of that society fifteen
years ago, and the correspondingly insignificant
position of the ceramic arts of America at that
time. The arts of the fire. which in this country
have been practised chiefly by women. have de-
Neloped amazingly, and the New York Society
of Keramie Arts. originally only little group
of women, has grown at the same time into the
most important organization of the kind in the
country.
The present exhibition is the largest most
interesting and various that the society has
ever given. The last exhibition, given two years
ago. was the first that had jury, and at
the same time all work of the ''naturaiislc
school was vigorously ruled out These decora-
tions of flowers and fruits things in which
the profanum vulgus greatly delights, and most
ceramic artists have TO do them for good ana
sufficient if somewhat sordid reasons. but the
society decided two years ago that it would
have no more of them at its exhibitions. and in
spite of much weeping and gnashing OF teeth
the rule was strictly adhered to. consider
able loss of membership followed. but the So
ciety weathered the storm and now feels itself
stronger than ever. The present exhibition is
considered to be a more than sufficient proof OF
the wisdom of the course taken, though there
are still TO be found those who sign Tor the
roses and violets of the old days as the children
of Israel sighed for the flesh pots of Egypt and
go away from the exhibition wringing their
hands because they cannot find them
Although this years exhibition is scarcely
larger than the one two years ago, II is much
more varied and individual. and there are some
4I,a od1Ip ON
of sculptors work in ceramics, on the same
principle as the bronze reproductions. Formerly
all such work had To be brought from Europe,
and nine years ago potterS in this country olo
not nave the means OF reLIouGIIls q i iie - -
more than eight inches high. The specimens
shown are in high and low RELIEF, the IorIheE
including a couple of familiar Della Robba re-
liefs in white against blue backgrounds Such
figures will endure for centuries and are much
used in the decoration of churches.
The ceramic association has always laid par
ticular emphasis on tableware, because that Is
something which, Ike the poor, Is always WIN
us There a considerable number or eX-
hibits of this kind, and the jury rejected every
thing that not absolutely dignihed. one IN
teresting little collection looks though II IS
fresh from the kiln, though II were CEN
turies old. Ii is in quaint blue design and has
a delightful little crackle all over it. But over
the crackle is a glaze. that the most enter
prsing micrObe can find no Judgement IN me
infinItesimal cracks.
one Of the new color effects has a suggestion
of autumn leaves pressed into the clay. visit
ing pOtterS do not quite see now tnlS erect IS
obtained and the discoVerer of the process does
not tell. In contradistinction 10 these are some
delicate crystalline vases in soft peachike tints.
A little collection Of famine pieces has also
been much admired for its colorng. These. as
their name implies, have been subjected 10 eN-
trenely high temperatures. and il is TO this they
owe their coloring. Side by side stands a piece
IN deep reds and another in light green the
difference being entirely the result Of firing This
is an expensive collection. one tiny vase, not
more than six inches in height. being valued al
$50. A effect in salt glaze ware Is shown
In some blush vases decorated with animals
and wOOdsy things, and in one case with a
Teddy bear. These, fortunately, are compare
lively inexpensive
The art of enameling is in its infancy in this
country, so this department OF the arts of the
fire is rather limited. but there are few inter
estng things in that line one exhibitor has
work fine that the details can scarcely be seen
without a magnifying glass.
The exhibits Of ornamental tiles illustrate
quite a recent development in American ceram-
les. A few years ago all work of this kind
had 10 be imported, but the native supply has
grown with the demand. one Of the tile eXhib
itors is a woman though this work does not
commend itself TO the feminine artists quite so
readily as the decoration of teacups. Huge gar
den pieces. so large that II must have required
a couple of strong men To put them into the
kiln. also Of feminine origin. and in their
completed state have nothing in the least wom-
anish about them.
The officers Of the New York Society of Keram-
&c Arts are Miss NJ NJ. Mason, president; Mrs.
A T. Leonard. Charles Nolkman and Mrs s.
W Stafford vice presidents, Miss Helen Walsh,
corresponding secretary; Miss Elizabeth Har-
denbeTg. recording secretary, ana Mrs "A T.
Sherman, treasurer