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EXPOSITION AT VIENNA.
isliing to those accustomed to the merely utilitarian view of things. The British artisan who reported upon the pottery, in mentioning Deck’s beautiful plaques, says : " The most attractive were several large round plaques, about two feet across, painted with large female heads and other decorations. I saw one of them was bought by an English manufacturer. The price paid was £200. Here is an example of art workmanship ! This dish, which realized such a large amount, could be made and sold by the gentleman who bought it for about two shillings ; and the artist, with his labor, has made it worth £200 ! ”
Influence of Japanese Art.
In the early periods of the introduction of oriental porcelain, and its attempted reproduction in Europe, Japanese and Chinese designs in decoration were closely followed. This is true to a great degree now. The great influx of Japanese forms in such quaint and novel variety, since the modern opening of that country to trade, has had a great influence upon the styles of decoration now in vogue. It is the new field for the decorative artists of Europe, and close attention and study have been given to the spirit of Japanese art. We find the results in the porcelains of the Royal AYorcester works, in the cloisonnée enamels of the English and French sections, in the bronzes, and in the decorative pottery and porcelain of other countries. Meantime, we see the Japanese striving to imitate English and French forms and ornaments ni table and toilet services, instead of more strongly developing and impressing their own peculiar and admirable styles upon their wares. This is one cause of the decadence of Japanese art ; another, as pointed out beyond, is the demand for quantity and cheapness at the sacrifice of quality in their products.
Lithography and Photography Tributary to Decoration.
Lithography is now made subservient to the decoration of porcelain. A wide and inviting field is thus opened, especially to potters in the United States, it being possible to produce pictures in this way that few persons, even those familiar’ with the art, can distinguish from hand paintings. Such decorations may replace, and at no greater cost, the crude,