Studio: international art (9.1897)

The Arts and Crafts

Underneath an
old oak tree

So far as its programme
has been announced the
society has never claimed to
be a propagandist of any
particular style, or to do
more than give the public an
opportunity of seeing the
best work of those contem-
porary craftsmen who were
willing — or permitted — to
send in work duly attributed
to the actual designers and
executants. English people
are apt to insist that any
effort of this sort implies a
distinct intention to prove
something. They expect the
Arts and Crafts Society to
show them furniture and
decoration in good taste, but
not necessarily so costly that
they can only be purchased
by very wealthy folk. They
are also apt to think that the
duty of the society is to set
on view a representative
selection from the whole
artistic production of Great
Britain in the intervals which
separate its various exhibi-
tions. These are but a few
of the several demands con-
cerning which the public
who visit the New Gallery
expect to be satisfied. But
recognising clearly that the
illustration from the raven bv ella f. g. hallward society has never taken upon

exhibited bv messrs. h. s. nichols and co. its sn0ulderS the task of

fulfilling such conditions,

more directly educational influence it enamels, and so absolving them entirely from any reproach

carvings, embroideries and the rest were arrayed in of doing less than they promised, it is open to the

distinct series. As it was, one had to hunt upstairs most sympathetic visitor to ask why they do not

and down to study any particular subject in all its attempt more, now that they have redeemed the

manifestations. pledges of their first manifesto.

There can be no doubt that the general verdict Is it beyond the power of a body which numbers
of 1S96, which chose furniture as the weakest class, nearly every prominent architect, designer, or crafts-
is not unwarranted. There were a few excellent man, to face the problem of beautiful yet economic
pieces, but these disposed here and there did not furniture ? Can they not institute a section de-
suffice to obliterate the effect of several common- voted to designs with estimates of their cost
place and one or two distinctly unsatisfactory attached ? Is it unreasonable to suggest that they
specimens It is a peculiarly ungraceful fact to should offer diplomas of honour to those manu-
record, but the truth must be told ; and the plain facturers who would submit cheap and comely
truth revealed that several of the least admirable furniture, well-decorated pottery for household
works were by members of the society. use, dinner and tea services and the like, artistic,

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