CHINAWARE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 167, 5 October 1927, Page 7

CHINAWARE

THE POTTER’S ART. SOME BETTER-KNOWN TYPES. Colour is the keynote of the modem home. We see it in fabrics, wall coverings, furniture, and, last but not least, in pottery. If you take but a casual walk around our museums you will be interested to note the many varied phases through which pottery has passed down the centuries. Some of the very earliest pieces can be seen in their crude state which tells of the handwork of the early potter, and in striking contrast we see the fine china, wonderful both in design and colouring, which tells us what a fine art the potter’s is to-day.. In the early days of Queen Victoria s reign noticeable progress was made ini this art. It was then that the potter learned new methods regarding the actual mechanical work, as well as new methods of firing the clay; but since the war the art of the potter has advanced by leaps and bounds, and it is possible to find to-day wonderful examples of ceramic art. COTTAGE POTTERY.

For the small seaside bungalow or country cottage this is ideal.. Not only is this extremely decorative in use for meals, in the bedroom, or for holding flowers, but it also contributes considerably to the whole decorative scheme of the home when it is placed on the dark oak dresser, or on the mantelshelf., Nothing is more suitable to hold the large branches of leaves, the bracken, or the bramble, than the pitcher of deep red earthenware. In this same ware we find deep bowls, honey >vrs, and many other pieces which are truly artistic.. The table china which comes under the heading of cottage pottery will usually be found w T ith a white or honey-col-oured ground decorated with bold floral or fruit designs in natural gay colourings. Highly decorative, also, is the cottage pottery which is made for use in cooking. When not in actual use this is extremely ornamental, and gives an artistic touch to the kitchen. __ In this category we have casseroles in deep rich reds, buffs, and greens; milk basins in the same delightful colourings, as well as apple bakers, chestnut roasters, and butter dishes. Another type of ware which should not be omitted when choosing china for the country cottage is the simple deep green ware. Usually this is of artistic design, and made in many shapes—candlesticks, jam jars, jugs, etc. Although popular everywhere, undoubtedly the oid w'illow-pattern china seems especially suitable _ for the cottage. It has decided merit from a decorative point of view, whether used on the walls as plates, on the old-fash-ioned dresser, or on a plate rail. Originally an Eastern design, it has been manufactured in this country since the 18th century, and has been made by practically every well-known maker. POOLE POTTERY.

In this we have a type of ornamental pottery which has a style entirely its own. It ranges from simple jars and pots to every type of useful ware, and also includes ornamental plaques. Its characteristics are boldness of outline with conventional hrushwork designs for decoration. The colourings are soft and charming. LUSTRE WARE.

The special charm of this china i# found in its many colour effects. Sometimes we find the lustre used as a design, and sometime it is used as the basis for designs in various colourings. Lustre ware dates back to as early a period as the 13th century, and at all times it has shown that the worker has had great knowledge of his art. Delightful indeed are the rose bowls, and vases of all types, which arc made in this ware. Another type of this ware which has a certain following takes the form of utility vessels such as tea services, coffee pots, and candlesticks. These look like gold or silver plate, and are produced by the coating of the pottery with gold chloride or platinum. MOORCROFT CHINA. This particular type of china lias made a place for itself and kept it, and for many years has been a very favourite choice among collectors of beautiful china. Every piece is a work of art, both in its design and colouring. Every piece is hand-made and perfect. The colourings are wonderful, rich and deep, and they seem to be in absolute harmony with the particular piece they decorate. MAJOLICA WARE. If you desire something really gay, cheerful, and colourful, you will find it here. Usually it takes the form of fruit or flowers painted in their natural colourings. Every kind of ornament is made In this ware, as well as many useful pieces. PICTURES IN CHINA. For many years we have had nursery china gaily decorated with nursery rhymes and all the favourite faiiry tales, but to-day we find pottery with wonderful hunting scenes painted on them by a well-known artist. Another factory produces a range of pottery decorated with ships. Then there are wonderful dessert services with most realistic pictures of fruit. Many wellknown artists have made the painting of pottery a specialty. Copenhagen china is very beautiful, and of great decorative value with its delightful scenes in a wonderful shade of soft blue-grev. Quite large pictures were painted by the Dutch on tiles. Usually they took the form of seascapes and were framed in exactly the same way as a canvas might be. Pot-lids and plaques also ■re very much sought after to-day fot decorative purposes. IN THE NURSERY Whenever possible the room chosen for the nursery should have a bright, sunny aspect and big, wide windows, which should be fitted with bars if nurse is to have any peace of mind. Specialists have established the fact that green is the most restful colour for the eyes, especially for children, and a soft apple-green would be a most suitable colour for the nursery walls. The paint used should be w r ashable, for it is impossible to prevent tiny people from putting sticky fingers or scribbling on walls and woodwork. The latter tendency can to some extent be checked by providing the nursery with a blackboard, preferably of slate, but somehow when one has just learned to wield a pencil nothing seems so eminently suited to literary effort as the walls or the furniture.

If distemper is used for the walls the lower part can be made washable by being covered with a pretty wallpaper and then coated with good hard washable varnish.