Before taking up the specific objects of art used in interior decoration and furnishing, attention must be called to the many articles of great value to those engaged in all arts and crafts-work whose success depends upon a sound knowledge of methods and the principle of design. In Arts and Crafts (Vol. 2, p. 700) Mr. Walter Crane gives an account of the recent movement in the arts of decorative design and handicraft that has for its object the adornment of the house. Handicraft workers will find valuable material, discussing designs, methods and tools, in Needlework (Vol. 19, p. 339); Wood-carving (Vol. 28, p. 791) fully illustrated, by F. A. Crallan, author of Gothic Wood-carving; Carving and Gilding (Vol. 5, p. 438); Metal-Work (Vol. 18, p. 205) illustrated, by Professor Middleton of Cambridge University, with sections on Modern Art Metal-work by John S. Gardner, and on Industrial Metal Work by J. G. Horner, author of Practical Metal Turning; Medal (Vol. 18, p. 1) illustrated, by M. H. Spielmann, formerly editor of The Magazine of Art; Glass, Stained (Vol. 12, p. 105) illustrated, by Lewis Foreman Day, late vice-president of the Society of Arts; Spinning (Vol. 25, p. 685) by Professor Fox; Basket (Vol. 3, p. 481) with an account of the basket-making industry and methods employed, by Thomas Okey, examiner in basket-work for the City of London Guilds and Institute; Embossing (Vol. 9, p. 308); Chasing (Vol. 5, p. 956); Repoussé (Vol. 23, p. 108); Enamel (Vol. 9, p. 362) a very complete historical and technical article, fully illustrated, by Alexander Fisher, author of The Art of Enamelling on Metals; Japan, Cloisonné Enamel (Vol. 15, p. 189); Inlaying (Vol. 14, p. 574). Much knowledge about primitive shapes and designs may be obtained from Archaeology (Vol. 2, p. 344) by Dr. Charles H. Read of the British Museum, Aegean Civilization (Vol. 1, p. 245) by D. G. Hogarth, the explorer, Scandinavian Civilization (Vol. 24, p. 287), and America, Archaeology (Vol. 1, p. 810) by the late O. T. Mason, of the National Museum, Washington. These articles are beautifully illustrated.

Portable Ornaments

Some of the articles on art objects have already been mentioned; in addition to them there is Ceramics (Vol. 5, p. 703), equivalent to 133 pages of this Guide, with over 100 illustrations including 10 full-page plates, six of which are colour. This magnificent article is the joint contribution of six special authorities and describes the art of pottery and porcelain manufacture, potter’s marks, etc., in all countries and at all periods, with the exception of Japanese ceramics, for which see Japan, Art, Ceramics (Vol. 15, p. 183). Glass (Vol. 12, p. 86) has a section on the History of Glass Manufacture (p. 97) in which glassware from the primitive vessels of ancient Egypt to modern wares is discussed and illustrated. The authors of this valuable account are Alexander Nesbitt, who wrote the descriptive catalogue of glass vessels for the South Kensington Museum, and H. J. Powell, of the Whitefriars Glass Works, London. Plate (Vol. 21, p. 789) illustrated, is the joint product of H. Stuart Jones, formerly director of the British School at Rome; H. R. H. Hall, of the British Museum, and E. Alfred Jones, author of Old English Gold Plate. It contains unusually full information about hall-marks. There are also separate articles on Pewter (Vol. 21, p. 338) and Sheffield Plate (Vol. 24, p. 824) by Malcolm Bell, author of Pewter Plate, etc.

Clock has a section Decorative Aspects (Vol. 6, p. 552), by J. G. Penderel-Brodhurst. Fan (Vol. 10, p. 168) by the late J. H. Pollen, author of Ancient and Modern Furniture and Woodwork, devotes special attention to styles of fan painting. Ivory has a well-illustrated section on Ivory Sculpture and the Decorative Arts (Vol. 15, p. 95) by A. O. Maskell, author of Ivories, etc. Mirror (Vol. 18, p. 575); Frame (Vol. 10, p. 773), and Screen (Vol. 24, p. 477) are likewise useful articles for the decorator and furnisher. Terracotta (Vol. 26, p. 653) illustrated, by H. B. Walters of the British Museum, and William Burton, deals with the use of this material in architecture and sculpture, describes its manufacture, and contains an historical and critical discussion of subjects and types. Byzantine Art by W. R. Lethaby contains a section, Metal Work, Ivories, and Textiles (Vol. 4, p. 910).

The subject of Lacquer (Vol. 16, p. 53) is further treated under Japan, Lacquer (Vol. 15, p. 188), a part of a very elaborate discussion of all forms of Japanese art, including especially Painting and Engraving (Vol. 15, p. 172), which, as well as China, Art (Vol. 6, p. 213), will be referred to constantly by all who are interested in Oriental handiwork and design.

Biographies

A great number of the biographies in the Britannica will possess much interest for the decorator and designer. Some of the noteworthy names of modern times are Morris, William (Vol. 18, p. 871); Crane, Walter (Vol. 7, p. 366); Tiffany, Louis C. (Vol. 26, p. 966); La Farge, John (Vol. 16, p. 64); Richmond, Sir William Blake (Vol. 23, p. 307); Chippendale, Thomas (Vol. 6, p. 237); Hepplewhite, George (Vol. 13, p. 305); Sheraton, Thomas (Vol. 24, p. 841); Gibbons, Grinling (Vol. 11, p. 936).

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF ARTICLES IN THE ENCYCLOPAEDIA BRITANNICA OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO THOSE ENGAGED IN DECORATING, DESIGNING, INTERIOR FURNISHING AND ALL FORMS OF ART HANDICRAFT

CHAPTER XVIII
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