DOI Heft:
No. 28 (July, 1895)
DOI Artikel:W., G.: The Manchester arts and crafts: second exhibition$nElektronische Ressource
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17294#0153
Manchester Arts and Crafts
exhibitions of applied arts in the twentieth century show held to a visitor, was to find its cotton
may be in fact what they are now in intention, industries and other characteristic products almost
The lesson that good design, bestowed on good unrepresented. Possibly very few are worthy of
material with good workmanship, should also being shown in such a collection ; if so, no more
show a readier sale and higher profit, is one that eloquent plea could be advanced for its existence;
the manufacturer has yet to learn. In fact, to-day on the other hand, if the few printed fabrics
it is possible that from his own experience he will shown are not above the average of the best shop-
windows to-day, it is also plea-
sant to recognise that public
taste has risen so high, and that
the tour de force brought into
existence merely for exhibition
is not in favour with manufac-
turers.
Indeed, looked at from this
standpoint, Manchester has done
well. A collection of lamps,
such as Messrs. Benson show,
may ultimately influence the
taste of a greater number than
the superb Morris-Burne-Jones'
tapestries. For, notwithstand-
ing the importance of setting a
very high standard of excellence
before designers and the general
public, it is dangerous to set
one altogether over their heads.
The home of the ordinary per-
son will hardly be influenced by
a study of the Morris tapestries,
at ^250 each—they are too far
removed from his sympathy;
but some of the excellent wall-
papers by Essex & Co., or
Jeffrey & Co., may tempt him,
and ultimately cause a re-organ-
isation of his surroundings. So,
again, special features of earlier
Arts and Crafts — Lethaby's
mosaic over-mantel, Jack's fire-
place, W. B. Richmond's mosaics
for St. Paul's, Cobden-Sander-
son's bookbindings—although
^=^-7r~T=~ of srreat value to designers and
those who direct public taste,
over-mantel with brasswork designed by w. a. s. benson are not within the purchasing
powers of the average visitor, to
flatly deny that such ever was or will be the case, whom less costly but not necessarily less excellent
Yet, if we recall the splendid achievements of certain specimens will appeal with equal force, and yet
firms, who cannot be named here, but who come come also within reach of being coveted, if not
to mind readily enough., even in our own time, actually purchased.
it will be found that good taste has proved a most When going through the galleries the first time,
profitable item in the world of commerce. it was curious to find that, as exhibit after exhibit
The chief disappointment that the Manchester singled itself out for special inspection, in nearly
J34
exhibitions of applied arts in the twentieth century show held to a visitor, was to find its cotton
may be in fact what they are now in intention, industries and other characteristic products almost
The lesson that good design, bestowed on good unrepresented. Possibly very few are worthy of
material with good workmanship, should also being shown in such a collection ; if so, no more
show a readier sale and higher profit, is one that eloquent plea could be advanced for its existence;
the manufacturer has yet to learn. In fact, to-day on the other hand, if the few printed fabrics
it is possible that from his own experience he will shown are not above the average of the best shop-
windows to-day, it is also plea-
sant to recognise that public
taste has risen so high, and that
the tour de force brought into
existence merely for exhibition
is not in favour with manufac-
turers.
Indeed, looked at from this
standpoint, Manchester has done
well. A collection of lamps,
such as Messrs. Benson show,
may ultimately influence the
taste of a greater number than
the superb Morris-Burne-Jones'
tapestries. For, notwithstand-
ing the importance of setting a
very high standard of excellence
before designers and the general
public, it is dangerous to set
one altogether over their heads.
The home of the ordinary per-
son will hardly be influenced by
a study of the Morris tapestries,
at ^250 each—they are too far
removed from his sympathy;
but some of the excellent wall-
papers by Essex & Co., or
Jeffrey & Co., may tempt him,
and ultimately cause a re-organ-
isation of his surroundings. So,
again, special features of earlier
Arts and Crafts — Lethaby's
mosaic over-mantel, Jack's fire-
place, W. B. Richmond's mosaics
for St. Paul's, Cobden-Sander-
son's bookbindings—although
^=^-7r~T=~ of srreat value to designers and
those who direct public taste,
over-mantel with brasswork designed by w. a. s. benson are not within the purchasing
powers of the average visitor, to
flatly deny that such ever was or will be the case, whom less costly but not necessarily less excellent
Yet, if we recall the splendid achievements of certain specimens will appeal with equal force, and yet
firms, who cannot be named here, but who come come also within reach of being coveted, if not
to mind readily enough., even in our own time, actually purchased.
it will be found that good taste has proved a most When going through the galleries the first time,
profitable item in the world of commerce. it was curious to find that, as exhibit after exhibit
The chief disappointment that the Manchester singled itself out for special inspection, in nearly
J34