DOI issue:
Nr. 46 (January 1897)
DOI article:The Arts and Crafts Exhibition, 1896 (final article)
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17298#0282
TJie Arts and Crafts
BELL-PULL IN BRONZE BY F. M. TAUBMAN
qualities of the woik. In the balcony were some
capital steel key-plates by the same designer.
Some very pleasing bits of metal work, buckles
and bell-pulls by Frank Mowbray Taubman, had
no little spirit. As the two examples of bell-pulls
here reproduced give a fair idea of the character
of the work, description is needless.
The name of R. LI. B. Rathbone, as an exhibitor
of metal work, always promises much in simple and
lit treatment of the material, with beauty gained by
the proportion" and construction of the object, not
by super-added ornament. The Wrought Brass
Candlestick, the Copper Jug, the Coffee Pot
oxidised, and Tea Caddy all fulfilled these ex-
pectations admirably. A Biscuit Box of brass and
copper, designed by Mr. Rathbone and executed
by Alfred Hughes, was also most satisfactory ; and
the same may be said of a Copper Caddy, a
Copper Box, and specimens of Brass and Copper
Handles. The latter, of which eight are illustrated
here in almost the actual size, will show clearly
how much praise might be lavished upon Mr.
Rathbone's treatment of metal without exaggera-
tion ; for these simple forms are essentially
metallic, and inspired by the various conditions of
their manufacture and use. Nowhere is ornament
for ornament's sake ; nowhere a suggestion of any
266
decoration not inspired directly by the working of
the metal. Because of their fitness and simplicity,
they are in the very front rank of good things and
deserve to be well studied.
It is a matter for regret that enamel, like stained
glass, is practically beyond the reach of black and
white illustration. Mr. Alexander Fisher's beau-
tiful contributions included a Steel Casket with Gold
Fittings, an Ivory Casket with Enamelled Panels,
of which two the general plan may be gathered from
the reproductions here ; an Enamelled Triptych,
a Box in Mahogany with Enamels and Gilt
Fretwork, a Copper Bowl with Enamelled Centre,
and Brunhild, a Pendant in Steel and Enamel.
If it is impossible to express their charm by photo-
graphs, it is hardly more feasible by words. F'or
when colour, as it does in fine enamel, approaches
sunlight, flame, or molten metal, it can scarce be
suggested with line or word, but must be seen
to be enjoyed. Yet it is strange that so gorgeous
a method of decoration has ever been suffered to
BELL-PULL IX BRONZE BY F. M. TAUBMAN"
BELL-PULL IN BRONZE BY F. M. TAUBMAN
qualities of the woik. In the balcony were some
capital steel key-plates by the same designer.
Some very pleasing bits of metal work, buckles
and bell-pulls by Frank Mowbray Taubman, had
no little spirit. As the two examples of bell-pulls
here reproduced give a fair idea of the character
of the work, description is needless.
The name of R. LI. B. Rathbone, as an exhibitor
of metal work, always promises much in simple and
lit treatment of the material, with beauty gained by
the proportion" and construction of the object, not
by super-added ornament. The Wrought Brass
Candlestick, the Copper Jug, the Coffee Pot
oxidised, and Tea Caddy all fulfilled these ex-
pectations admirably. A Biscuit Box of brass and
copper, designed by Mr. Rathbone and executed
by Alfred Hughes, was also most satisfactory ; and
the same may be said of a Copper Caddy, a
Copper Box, and specimens of Brass and Copper
Handles. The latter, of which eight are illustrated
here in almost the actual size, will show clearly
how much praise might be lavished upon Mr.
Rathbone's treatment of metal without exaggera-
tion ; for these simple forms are essentially
metallic, and inspired by the various conditions of
their manufacture and use. Nowhere is ornament
for ornament's sake ; nowhere a suggestion of any
266
decoration not inspired directly by the working of
the metal. Because of their fitness and simplicity,
they are in the very front rank of good things and
deserve to be well studied.
It is a matter for regret that enamel, like stained
glass, is practically beyond the reach of black and
white illustration. Mr. Alexander Fisher's beau-
tiful contributions included a Steel Casket with Gold
Fittings, an Ivory Casket with Enamelled Panels,
of which two the general plan may be gathered from
the reproductions here ; an Enamelled Triptych,
a Box in Mahogany with Enamels and Gilt
Fretwork, a Copper Bowl with Enamelled Centre,
and Brunhild, a Pendant in Steel and Enamel.
If it is impossible to express their charm by photo-
graphs, it is hardly more feasible by words. F'or
when colour, as it does in fine enamel, approaches
sunlight, flame, or molten metal, it can scarce be
suggested with line or word, but must be seen
to be enjoyed. Yet it is strange that so gorgeous
a method of decoration has ever been suffered to
BELL-PULL IX BRONZE BY F. M. TAUBMAN"