38
EXPOSITION AT YIENNA.
Avitli the accuracy of detail characterizing the ornamental ob-
jects, they must be extremely costly. They are very diffcr-
ent from the bolder and rougher work on terra-cotta, designed
chiefly for exteriors. One of the chief works, by the cele-
brated Luca della Robbia,—reputed to be the discoverer of
stanniferous enamels in Europe,—was the decoration, in en-
amelled terra-cotta, of a room—a writi'ng-cabinet—for Piero
di Cosimo Medici, about the year 1464. It was lined
throughout, walls, ceiling, and pavement, and the parts were
so perfectly titted together that it appeared to be all in one
piece. It bas been suggested that the remarkable medallious
illustrating the seasons, now in the South Kensington
Museum, originally formed a part of the decoration of this
cabinet, which, uufortunately, no longer exists, and is known
only through tradition and the writings* of Yasari.*
Choisy-le-Roi, H. Boulengek : Depot in Paris, Eue de
Paradis Poissonniere 4.— Objects of utility and Ornament,
in faience, "granite,” and " half-porcelain.” A great variety
of objects are made at this establishment, and were on exhi-
bition, such as articles for the toilet, for perfumers, pharma-
cists, plumbers, and decorators; dessert sets, candlesticks,
flower-pots, tiles for jardinieres, clock-stands, match-boxes,
vases, etc., etc. They also imitate the faience of Rouen,
Italy, Nevers, the enamelled plaques of Persia, and the por-
celaiu of China and old Sevres.
A round plaque, in Persian style, is remarkable for the
relief of the enamel and the distinctness and brilliäncy of
the cölors. It is ten and a half inches in diameter, and
has a projecting annular support 'below, giving «reater
strength to the piece without adding inuch to the weight.
The basis or grouud-work is ordinary earthenware, of
white body, glazed in white, like stone-china. The upper
surface is highly decorated, with opaque colored enamels
laid upou the white enamel covering the whole. There
* Luca delIil Robbia was born in the year 1400, and is distinguished for bis meri-
torious artistic productions in marble, terra-cotta, and bronze. The frieze of the
singing boys, in the Museum of the Uffizii at Florence, and the bronze gates of the
sacristy of the Dnomo in Florence, are examples of bis labors in these materials. He
is supposed to have introduced the use of stanniferous enamels in Italy in the year
1438, with a view to the execution of indestructible paintings.