DOI Heft:
No. 64 (July, 1898)
DOI Artikel:Studio-talk
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21969#0149
Studio-Talk
Although most of the modern metal work ex-
hibited at the Royal Aquarium was not noticeably
superior to the best commercial average, some
few things told out from the bulk by super excel-
lence of design as well as of workmanship. Among
these an electrolier, made by the Tayler Smith Elec-
tric Co., was unquestionably not merely the most
beautiful thing in the show, but in many ways the
finest fitting we have yet seen for electric lighting.
From a huge corona four pendants hang, ending
in very harmonious florets, the whole in wrought
steel, with the hammer-marks well in evidence. An
illustration would give but a partial idea of its
charm, for the real beauty of the work depends
upon its actual craft quite as much as upon its
very graceful design. A bracket fitting, also in
wrought steel, with a boldly treated ship, and the
others with the arms of Scotland, by the same firm,
deserve especial attention.
Mr. Edgar Simpson’s exhibits were marked by
great refinement. In saying that they recalled
Japanese work one must be careful to explain that
the comparison was not suggested by certain of the
designs but that the exhibits as a whole were ob-
viously inspired by Japan. There was more than a
mere likeness of pattern, the subtle gradations of
surface, the colour of the metal, most admirably
mixed, and the exquisitely dainty texture formed
the real link. So far as the light permitted one to
see, the metals were alloyed to yield varying shades
from silver to deep copper-bronze, but it may
be that this was due to reflected colours from
objects near. As designs they deserve careful
study, for they show peculiarly sympathetic treat-
ment for metal, with no sharp edges to be damaged
or to inflict damage, and beauty of form gained by
mass rather than by line. Space does not permit
of each object being separately noted, but the
illustrations may be trusted to bear out all we
have said in praise of the work. Although Mr.
Edgar Simpson’s name is not in recent “ Arts and
Crafts ” catalogues, nor in the Year’s Art—and so
we may deduce a supposition that he is a new
comer—we shall look out for work bearing his name
in future exhibitions, for the promise it exhibits is
very far above the average.
BOX AND VASE IN REPOUSSE METAL
126
BY EDGAR SIMPSON
Although most of the modern metal work ex-
hibited at the Royal Aquarium was not noticeably
superior to the best commercial average, some
few things told out from the bulk by super excel-
lence of design as well as of workmanship. Among
these an electrolier, made by the Tayler Smith Elec-
tric Co., was unquestionably not merely the most
beautiful thing in the show, but in many ways the
finest fitting we have yet seen for electric lighting.
From a huge corona four pendants hang, ending
in very harmonious florets, the whole in wrought
steel, with the hammer-marks well in evidence. An
illustration would give but a partial idea of its
charm, for the real beauty of the work depends
upon its actual craft quite as much as upon its
very graceful design. A bracket fitting, also in
wrought steel, with a boldly treated ship, and the
others with the arms of Scotland, by the same firm,
deserve especial attention.
Mr. Edgar Simpson’s exhibits were marked by
great refinement. In saying that they recalled
Japanese work one must be careful to explain that
the comparison was not suggested by certain of the
designs but that the exhibits as a whole were ob-
viously inspired by Japan. There was more than a
mere likeness of pattern, the subtle gradations of
surface, the colour of the metal, most admirably
mixed, and the exquisitely dainty texture formed
the real link. So far as the light permitted one to
see, the metals were alloyed to yield varying shades
from silver to deep copper-bronze, but it may
be that this was due to reflected colours from
objects near. As designs they deserve careful
study, for they show peculiarly sympathetic treat-
ment for metal, with no sharp edges to be damaged
or to inflict damage, and beauty of form gained by
mass rather than by line. Space does not permit
of each object being separately noted, but the
illustrations may be trusted to bear out all we
have said in praise of the work. Although Mr.
Edgar Simpson’s name is not in recent “ Arts and
Crafts ” catalogues, nor in the Year’s Art—and so
we may deduce a supposition that he is a new
comer—we shall look out for work bearing his name
in future exhibitions, for the promise it exhibits is
very far above the average.
BOX AND VASE IN REPOUSSE METAL
126
BY EDGAR SIMPSON