AUTISTIC CHINA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5588, 22 January 1879, Page 6

AUTISTIC CHINA.

We have had the pleasure of examining a fine collection of artistic china, glass, earthenware, See., which is to-day open lor inspection at the premises of Messrs Matheson Bros, and Co., Cashel street, and there can be no hesitation in pronouncing such a stock well worthy o£ inspection. Amongst the manj objects of interest, attention may be called to a fen which are specially worthy of mention, as displaying, in a high degree, refined taste both idPform and colour. In dinner services, for exafilpfej a monotonous pattern no longer exists, fduTtsrions pieces in the “Landseer” sets btffcjif’ 'adorned with paintings of subjects chosen frpm the masterpieces of the famous n&imfl 'history painter. The shades in which tfifr are painted range from black to grey, ad^ t is also effectively used. In ofliCT sSrTOds some of Wedgwood’s best destfoahAve been revived, and there is a unique aet 1 ornamented with wild flowers in natural colours: ..There are also some beautiful exampies . of the famous Limoge ware, handsomely decorated with vivid and yet siibdued tints" of leaf and foliage, with flowei sprays in rallied work, the petals being formed

in imitation of opals, &c. Chinese porcelain i is well represented by seme fine vases, quaint 1) in outline, and bizarre in design and colour- | i ing. There are also some extremely hand- j i some Dresden vases, richly painted with j i figure and landscape subjects, aud presenting 1 some of the best known outlines. The Wor- i cester porcelain cannot fail to attract atten- I tion, if only for the exquisite nature of its i decoration ; some of the flower groups, no | two of which are alike, are gems. Another ] set of novelties will be found in the W*“?‘ wood articles, some of them being modelled in 1 imitation of the Grecian amphora, and suit- i ably ornamented. In the vases 1 the raised ornamentation is a distinguishing feature. Many of oar readers will be disposed, if they visit Messrs Mathesou’s premises, to < regard the dejuiaer sets as the gems of the i collection, and amongst these to award the palm to a set in Belleek, modelled from the ' shell of the echinus, and supported upon ( sprays of coral, the only colouring being one 1 or two lines of burnished gold. j ■ ~ ’ 4