Studio: international art (9.1897)

The Arts and Crafts

DESIGN' FOR CRETONNE BY A. SILVER

set of the Chiswick Press edition of Epictetus and
Marcus Aurelius (Bell), exquisitely dainty in green
morocco and gold, completed the list of books in
this very attractive case. A Lady's Workbox in

red leather with brass fittings, designed and exe-
cuted by Douglas Cockerell, was the only other
item it contained. A most unexpected item dis-
covered labelled " designed by T. Cobden-Sander-
son," was a steel Fender. This was proved to be
a most capital piece of metal work excellently
wrought by Longden & Co. (see December Num-
ber, page 199). Whether the copper lining of the
hearth was also Mr. Cobden-Sanderson's idea the
catalogue failed to tell us, but it is a happy notion
whoever thought of it.

In the reproduction of "The Falcon" wall-paper
designed by Ingram Taylor, and executed by Jeffrey
and Co. (page 271), like most colour designs trans-
lated to monochrome, the balance of its pattern is
altered, and not to its advantage. Other designs
for friezes by the same artist exhibit his later
manner to perfection. With all recognition of
their merits it is impossible to rank them as equal
to those most admirable friezes in stencil which were
so deservedly approved in a former Exhibition.
The execution of these and other wall-papers by
Messrs. Jeffrey must not escape praise, because we
are so accustomed to the high standard reached
long ago by this old-established firm. Earliest in
the field with what was at the time almost a
forlorn attempt to produce papers for wall decora-
tion by distinguished artists, they have never lost
faith in the effort. Now that the adventurous pro-
ject of the " seventves " has become the custom of

DESIGN
272

FOR CRETONNE

THE PEACOCK

BY ARTHUR SILVER