The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-01-26
BY JULIA BLANSHARD
NEA Service Writer

NEA Service Writer
NEW YORK, JAN 26.-If 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 see just exactly
how they serve the tea that has
made Russia famous. For there will
be, first of all, authentic Russian
tea made in samavors, served from
handsome hand-carved Russian
tables in modernistic Russian china.
The linen on the tables will be Rus
sian and Russians, in native cos
tunes, can be seen in little Russian
peasant houses imported and set up.
1t is, in fact, stunning, COM
prehensive all-Russian exhibit that
includes 10000 different items, total
ing million dollars in value.
Make Art Profitable
The collection bespeaks a renais-
sance of Bolshevik peasant art. For
the native handicrafts of the peas
ant, such as making carvings, linens
and lacquered boxes that used to oc-,
cupy their long winter evenings have
now been developed into a paying
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 Palek-
ha was famous for four centuries
for its Illuminated ikons. When the
church lost power with the fall of
the czar, and ikons no longer had
their tremendous sale, the villagers
cast about for other objects to deco
rate with their peculiar art. These
delicate, colorful and perfectly
gorgeous little boxes result. They
have fine patterns in lovely bright
colors, all kinds of typical old and
new Russian scenes.
Linens Better
The Russian linens shown indicate
improved quality and a modernism
that they have lacked before.
Shocks, for instance, have some new
ornamental landings that follow the
1929 skyscraper lines instead of the
conventional old-Russian ones.
There are, too, well-cut and en-
broidered dress patterns, showing
how Russia is catering to American
demands.
Gaudy red lacquered candlesticks,
ash trays, desk sets and big trays
give one a hint of how certain spots
in ones room might be livened by
the addition of some of these. There
are interesting hints to be had, too,
in the carved ivories-the work of
the northernmost Siberian tribes
which reflect the life of their people,
the types and their primitive dress.
Here, though, are indications Of
Bolshevik influence Carved ivory
chess sets, instead of having king
and a queen, have peasant figures in
ivory, good types but hardly as regal
looking as the erstwhile royalty.
Develop Modern Angle
Russian linens, leather things and
silver work all are fascinating. The
linens come in the traditional Rus
sian patterns and rich old colorS and
also in new pastel shades like soft
apricot. There are bridge sets as
well as lunch sets, this year, and
other indications of modern angle
to this old-time handicraft. The
same is true in leather, for the new
shoes have mules and very COM
Portable little slippers Of gaily pat
termed feathers.
Perhaps, to Americans, the most
interesting things Of all are the toy
exhibits. There are ON display in
Vulnerable 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
the high-powered electric mechan-
isms our American tots enjoy.
Aside from the artistic value TO
this country, of such comprehen-
sive exhibit, it is instructive in show
| ing the renaissance in peasant art
that Russo is feeling now.
American appreciation of Russian
peasant handieraft is in no small
way responsible for this exposition.
For no country likes Russian theater
sets, pictures, Russian SInockS, Rus
sian linens, china, lacquered work,
worries and SO on more than Amer
lea. Therefore, in a way, this ex-
haustive exhibition has a genuine
eor,nac4io,, xz,ifI, Ay1.ry-ico