International studio (17.1902)

Turin Exhibition

nests. The dainty craft of
these fittings proclaim the
woman’s hand, while the
sturdy structure of the
chair itself attests to the
work of the man. A re-
volving bookcase, showing
how treatment can make an
artistic possession out of a
commercial need; and a
writing cabinet with chair to
match, and a table and chairs
en suite complete the furnish-
ings of the floor. On the
walls are panels, two painted
and two in silver. Man and
wife are equally responsible
for their production. The
painted panels treat of le-
gends of the snowdrop and
of the swallows respectively,

the former by Frances McNair and the latter by
J. Herbert McNair, while the silver panels, each
treatments of a single figure, contain much novel
matter. On the broad plane of the silver sheet the
figures are repoussed in low relief, and these

SHOW TABLES

DESIGNED BY J. HERBERT McNAIR

are traced with silver wire designed in curved
forms strung with beads and coloured stones,
through which the figures are seen. It is a
delightful piece of playful fancy, quite novel in
treatment and rich in possibilities. Four leaded
glass panels by J. Herbert
McNair, now pasted on the
wall and forming the central
part of the frieze, were for
a window shown on the plan.
The absence of this window
is the fault of the authori-
ties, and the glass loses all
its true qualities. Two show
cases contain—one, objets
d’art by the McNairs, and
the other enamels by Miss
Lily Day. Both cases are
very good. This second
room demonstrates how
the same motif in the
hands of differing artists,
becomes like a new thing,
and the utmost credit is due
to the McNairs for this object
lesson, showing in what
manner the necessities and
beauties of life can be brought
together in one harmonious
whole. From a baby’s crawl-
ing - rug to a silver figure
panel is a far cry. The one
room contains them, and to

97

TEA TABLE, IN WHITE ENAMELLED WOOD
INLAID WITH ROSES IN IVORY

BY CHARLES R. MACKINTOSH