Studio: international art (6.1896)

French Woodwork at South Kensington

of the grace and delicacy possessed by the
sculptors of Northern France in the sixteenth
century, as well as of the variations which may be
obtained in the treatment of simple themes in
foliated ornament. Fig. 7, the front of a coffer of
the same period, in walnut, is also an admirable
specimen of a more severe style, harmonising with
the heraldic devices of which it forms the setting.
The first is a survival of Gothic patterns, while the
latter is pure Renascence work, and that of a very
high standard. With the piece just mentioned is
also to be classed Fig. 3, an oaken chest. This
the carver, suiting himself to a marked difference of
material, has decorated with a beautifully designed
cartouche, terminating in flowing scrolls, the sim-
plicity of which is in striking contrast to the lion's
head forming the centre-piece of the whole
arrangement. There is a dignity and reticence
about this composition which should entitle it to
the most careful consideration of students ; indeed,
the panel might well be cast and issued as an
example to schools of art throughout the country.
Fig. 9 is a pleasing and fanciful little panel, one of
a set of equal merit, which also illustrates very
happily the taste and good sense of artists of
this school.

fig. 4.—oak arm-chair xvii century In addition to the carved panels, the exhibition

fig. 5.—carved oak chest

late xv century
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