International studio (21.1903/1904(1904))

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now, thanks to the good instruction they receive
gratis, they are able to compete with China and
Japan in artistic reproductions.
Nor is this all. The workers are taught the
nature of the material they have to manipulate,
and this scientific knowledge is invaluable. In the
celebrated Vienna Prater is a piece of land entirely
given up to the culture of the different species of
the willow. From here shoots and graftings are
sent to all the centres
where basket-weaving is
carried on, and the species
that flourishes best in
any particular district is
then cultivated there.
For it is found that the
same kind, say, that
thrives in a village of Bo-
hemia does not do equally
well in Poland or Carni-
ola; and for this reason
each kind of work is
produced in that district
where the particular kind
of willow necessary for
its production thrives best.
And as the artists who
326

devote themselves to producing designs suitable for
basket-work have also the opportunity for studying
their material, the result is in every way satisfactory.
Perhaps the largest village given up to this home
industry is at Rudnik, in Poland. This was started
by the late Count Hompesch, a Member of the
Austrian Lower House. The business element
was given by Mr. Karl Kraus, with whom the
Count associated himself, and, in the course of
years, employment has been given to thousands,
both there and at Prague, where the art furniture is
made and where the different species of willow
suitable for their respective uses are cultivated.
When, some six or seven years ago, the great
upheaval in art took place in Vienna, the first
efforts of this Prag-Rudniker were to create a
demand for something new in basket-work furniture,
and this soon showed itself at the " Secession"
exhibitions, as well as those held at the Austrian
Museum; and Mr. Hans Vollmer, a pupil of Pro-
fessor Hoffmann, was engaged to devote himself to
the work of designing wicker-work furniture. For
this purpose he also studied the materials to be
used for his designs. The gain is twofold, for it
enables him to understand those who carry out his
designs as well as them to understand him. The
next Step in the development was to make the
Supports of the chairs of wood and the seats and
backs of basket-work. At first only old patterns
were used, the next Step being to make improve-
ments on them.
With tables it has been the same. The old hve-
o'clock wicker-table, with its Haps, is no longer in
demand; in its place are the more artistic and, at
the same time, more secure ones, the foundation
being of wood and the plates of fine basket-work.

DESIGNED BY H. VOLLMER
EXECUTBD BY PRAG-RUDNIKER

WICKER CHAIR
AND TABLE

DESIGNED BY H. FUNKE
EXECUTED IN THE IMPERIAL
PATTERN WORKSHOPS, VIENNA