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EXPOSITION AT VIENNA.
Porcelain Stove Tiles.
The so-called "porcelain” or German stoves, familiar to those who have resided in Germany, Austria or Hungary, were extensively exhibited in the Austrian and Prussian sections. The material is not porcelain, hut earthenware, moulded into tiles or hollow bricks about six or eight inches square and several inches thick. They are made in a great variety of ornamental forms, and are generally glazed on the outer or exposed face, either white,—which is most common, —or brown, red, green, or black. Besides the ordinary flatfaced tiles, they are made with incised or raised designs, or are moulded in high relief, so that when combined they form recessed panels or projecting fillets and mouldings, in a variety of architectural patterns.
The back portion of the tile exposed to the fire or heated gases rising from it, is perforated and peculiarly shaped, so as to expose a large surface and make a series of tubular openings favorable to the absorption of the heat in the body of the tile.
The shape of the stove formed of these tiles varies with the taste of the fabricant and the demands of the consumer.
The annexed figure, from one of the stoves made by J. Fischer of Pesth, Hungary, and the succeeding illustrations, will give a good idea of the general appearance of such stoves. They are generally from six to eight or ten feet high, with a breadth of three or four feet. Usually there is a deep recess above the fire-space, or an opening quite through, the stove being divided in that portion, into the parts united above!' by an entablature and cornice. Cylindrical or columnar stoves are also made ; indeed, the modifications are numerous, to conform to the varying taste or fashion of the time. Lower and broader stoves are now coming into use, with large openings in front, so that the fire may be