International studio (35.1908)

Enamels and Pottery at the Paris Salons


ENAMELLED AND GLAZED POTTERY

its fine examples of this branch of decorative art.
Thus M. Decorchemont devoted himself here to
pdte de verre, like M. Dammouse at the other Salon.
His little vases and cups are executed in a very trans-
parent and tenuous paste, most agreeably decorated.
In the same show-case one noted also a pleasing
experiment in the way of p&te de verre jewellery—a
very successful waist-buckle.
The exhibits of M. Decceur were greatly varied,
as may be seen by the excellent examples now
reproduced. His large vase,
with green coulees and
warmest red tones, repre-
sents a lot of effort and
research; it is, indeed, one
of the most notable things
in ceramics displayed this
year. M. Decceur is indeed
a versatile artist. His little
white vase with black spots,
produces a most curious
effect. H is large black and
red vase, or potiche, recalls in
its extreme sobriety of form
the finest results of Japanese
ceramics. This artist
appeals chiefly by means of
his fine broad colouring.
214

Mr. William Lee had two
big cases containing a large
collection of stoneware,
whose fine style may be
realised from the reproduc-
tions accompanying these
notes. Here is an artist
who, in my opinion, is carry-
ing on as clearly as possible
the Carries tradition. Like
Carries he is extremely
happy in the form of his
bottles,his gourds tightened
in the centre, his narrow-
necked flagons, his big firm-
based pots. The artist’s
colours generally run on a
scale of delicate greys,
lightened up always by bold
flambies.
Nor must the dull, fired
gres of M. Jean Pointu be
overlooked.
The enamels of M.
Thesmar maintain their old
level of perfection, while
equally high craftsmanship could be seen in those
by Mme. Henry Cazalis and by M. Bonnard at the
display of the Artistes Frangais.
Examining closely the exhibits of our decorative
artists, we cannot fail to be struck by one almost
general error made by exhibitors, who, in the
“ settings ” they adopt, confine themselves to an
out-and-out, literal, textual transcription of nature,
abiding by the strictly naturalist formula. Is it
necessary to insist on the error of all this ? A plant,

BY HENRY DE VALLOMBREUSE

POTTERY

BY A. DAMMOUSE