New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1929-01-26
BY JULIA BIiNSH.Ai:D
Nca Service Writer

New York, Jan. 26--1f Milady
wishes to be particularly smart and
| different" when she serves tea this
year. she should drop into the all
Russian Exposition of Arts and
| HandicraftS which will be open dur
| ing February at the Grand Central
Palace.
There she can sec just exactly
how they serve the tea that has
made Russia famous. For there
will be, first of all. authentic Rus
sian tea made in lovely samavors,
served from handsome hand carved
Russian tables IN modernistic Rus
sian china. The linen on the tables
will be Russian and Russians. in ma
tive costumes, can be seen in little
Russian peasant houses imported
and set up.
1t is, in fact, stunning, COM
rrehensive all-Russian exhibit that
includes 10000 different items, to-
falling Il million dollars in value.
Their Art Is Paying
The collection bespeaks Il renais-
sancc OF Belshevik peasant art. For
the native handicrafts OF the peas
ant, such as making carvings. linens
and lacqucred boxes that used 10
occupy their long winter evenings
have now been developed into pay
ing industry that puts bread into
their mouths and objects of beauty
into homes in all parts of the world.
Some Of the most interesting OF
the new pieces are "Palekh' lac
quered and illuminated boxes. Back
In Czarish days, the village of Pale
kha was famous for four centuries
for its Illuminated ikons. When the
church lost power with the fall OF
the Car, and ikons no longer had
their tremendous sale. the villagers
cast about for other objects to dec
crate with their peculiar art. These
delicate. colorful and perfectly gor-
gaous little boxes reult. They have
fine patterns in lovely bright colors.
all kinds of typical old nd new
Russian scenes.
The Russian linens shown indl-
cate improved quality and a mod
ernism that they have lacked be-
fore. Shocks. for instance. have
some new ornamental landings that
follow that 1929 skyscraper lines in
stead Of tho conventional old-Rus-
sian ones. There are too, well-cut
and embroidered dress patterns.
showing how Russia is catering to
American demands.
Gaudy red lacquered candlesticlis,
ash trays. desk sets and big trays
give one Il hint of how certain spots
in o'e"'s room might be 1ivencd Ivy
the addition of some Of these. There
are interesting hints to be had. too,
in the carved ivorics--the work Of
the northernmost Siberian tribes
which reflect the life of their poo
PIE. the types and their primitive
dress.
Here. though. are indication, o.
Rolshcvik influence. Carved ivory
chess sets, instead Of having Il king
and queen, have peasant figure.
in ivory. good types but hardly as
regal looking as the erstNhile royal
ty.
Develop Modern Angle
Russian linens, leather things
and silver work all are fascinating
The linens come in the traditional
Russian patterns and rich old color,
and also in now pastel shades Xix"
soft apricot. There are bridge sc's
as well as lunch sets, this year. and
other indications of a modern anglo
to this old-time handcraft. The
same in true in leather. for tho new
shoes have mules and very comfort
able little slippers Of gaily patterned
feathers.
Perhaps, to Americans. the mos,
interesting things of all are the
toy exhibits. There are on display
innumerablc little animals carved
out Of wood and sold for a cent or
so. that children would adore. There
are tricky little toys worked on
strings the Russian equivalent for
fhe high powered electric mechan-
isms our American tots enjoy.
Aside from the artistic value to
this country, of such a comprehcn-
sive exhibit. it is instructive IN
showing the renaissance in peasant
art that Russia is feeling now.
American appreciation of Rus
sian peasant handicraft is in 10
small way responsible for this on
position. For no country likes Rus
sian theater SETS, pictures, Russian
smocks. Russian linens. china. lac
qucred work. iVc,'ios and so on moro
than America. therefore, In a way,