It is best to keep the design within the limits of two horizontal space divisions in designing cylindrical clay forms, particularly in the elementary exercises. Enough variety will be found to make pleasing arrangements, and the technical results obtained by two divisions are much better than those obtained from a greater number of divisions.
Two Horizontal Divisions in Clay
[Figures 14], [15], and [16], [Plate 9], are clay forms with the dominance placed in either the upper or lower portion of the primary mass. [Figure 13] has been used to illustrate the fact that horizontal space division principles are applicable to any material. The horizontal divisions in [Figure 13] are due to structural needs. A horizontal line carries this division across to [Figure 14], a clay vase. The horizontal division line now becomes the one which marks the widest part of the vase. It gives the same relation between the top and bottom horizontal spaces as in [Figure 13]. It marks an aesthetic point in the design of the vase, or a variation of the contour, introduced by reason of its effect upon the beauty of the vase, not called for by the needs of actual service.
A musical composition is often played in an orchestra first by the wood instruments, taken up and repeated by the brasses, then by the strings, and finally played as an harmonious whole by the entire orchestra. There is a close parallel in [Figure 12], an adaptation of one of Gustav Stickley's designs. The two-division rule is used in the relations of the plaster and wainscoting; again in the plaster over, and the cement or tile around the fireplace. It is repeated in the arrangement of the copper and cement of the fireplace facing and hood and in the door panels. By repeating again and again similar space divisions the wall space becomes a unified and harmonious whole. Variety is secured by the introduction of three horizontal divisions in the details of the wainscoting. This method of repeating similar space divisions is called "echoing" and is one of the most effective means known for securing the effect of unity.
Plate 10
Two Horizontal Divisions in Metal
The horizontal subdivisions in metal are usually made for service. [Figures 17], [18], and [19], [Plate 10], are examples of such divisions. The location of the clock face in [Figure 18] calls for the placing of its horizontal axis in accordance with Rule 2a. The lamp in [Figure 19] shows an instance where the entire design once divided by Rule 2a, may be again subdivided into a similar series of divisions. This arrangement is quite similar to the system of repetitions seen in [Figure 12] and termed "echoing" the original divisions.
Three Horizontal Space Divisions