14

EXPOSITION  AT  VIENNA.

ishing  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  severa]  large  round  plaques,  about  two  feet
aoross,  painted  with  large  female  heads  and  other  decorations.
  I  saw  one  of  thera  wäs  bought  by  an  English  mauulacturer.
  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  Ins
labor,  has  made  it  wortli  £200  !  ”
Influence  of  Japanese  Art.
In  the  early  periods  of  the  introduction  of  oriental  porcelain,
  and  its  ättempted  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  öf  that  pountry  to  trade,  has  had  a  great  influence
upon  the  styles  of  decoration  now  in  vogue.  It  is  the  new
tield  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  Worcester
works,  in  the  cloisonnee  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  in
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  poiuted  out  beyond,  is  the  demand  for  quautity
  and  cheapness  at  the  sacriiice  of  quality  in  their  products.
Lithographt  and  Photograpur  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  heilig  possible  to  pro-,
duce  pictures  in  this  way  that  few  persons,  even  those  familiär
with  the  art,  can  distinguish  from  band  paintings.  Such
decorations  may  replace,  and  at  no  greater  cost,  the  crude,