DOI issue:
Nr 76 (July 1899)
DOI article:Wood, Esther: The home arts and industries exhibition
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.19232#0128
Home Arts and Industries
“As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news
from a far land.” Both these exhibits were of Miss
Baker’s design.
A word may be permitted on a point of order.
There is a tendency to ignore the origin of a
design which has become the property of the
association, and is described on the labels as
“H.A.I.A.” This hardly seems an adequate
acknowledgment to such helpers as Mr. Voysey,
Mr. Cave, Mr. Spooner, Mr. Benson, and the
ladies who have from time to time supplied original
designs. There appears no reason why any piece
of art should cease to be duly attributed to its
author because he has generously given the copy-
right for the members’ common use.
In such an exhibition much creditable work
must perforce remain unnoticed; there was, for
instance, a considerable show of Mr. Harold Rath-
bone’s “ Della Robbia ” pottery from Birkenhead;
and in the humbler paths of industry the sound
and durable work of the Saxmundham basket-
makers certainly deserves mention. One con-
scientious craftsman may often in this way become
the starting-point of a new industrial life; and it is
in this light that one sees the wisdom of the com-
mittee in maintaining the geographical classification
of the work. In the present century the associa-
tion of places with particular industries has become
almost a farce. We know that a great deal of our
“ Sheffield cutlery ” is now made elsewhere, and
that the same degeneration has affected our textiles,
from Kidderminster carpets to Honiton lace. One
of the first battles of industrial reform is surely for
the principle of honesty in the naming of goods;
and the Home Arts and Industries Association are
undoubtedly right in trying to restore the just and
CABINET DESIGNED BY W. J. HEADY
EXECUTED BY THOMAS PAGE
A scott Class
reasonable pride of place to their craftsmen. The
COPPER FENDER DESIGNED BY J. B. MACKENZIE
EXECUTED BY R. HODDER
Newlyn Class
106
“As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news
from a far land.” Both these exhibits were of Miss
Baker’s design.
A word may be permitted on a point of order.
There is a tendency to ignore the origin of a
design which has become the property of the
association, and is described on the labels as
“H.A.I.A.” This hardly seems an adequate
acknowledgment to such helpers as Mr. Voysey,
Mr. Cave, Mr. Spooner, Mr. Benson, and the
ladies who have from time to time supplied original
designs. There appears no reason why any piece
of art should cease to be duly attributed to its
author because he has generously given the copy-
right for the members’ common use.
In such an exhibition much creditable work
must perforce remain unnoticed; there was, for
instance, a considerable show of Mr. Harold Rath-
bone’s “ Della Robbia ” pottery from Birkenhead;
and in the humbler paths of industry the sound
and durable work of the Saxmundham basket-
makers certainly deserves mention. One con-
scientious craftsman may often in this way become
the starting-point of a new industrial life; and it is
in this light that one sees the wisdom of the com-
mittee in maintaining the geographical classification
of the work. In the present century the associa-
tion of places with particular industries has become
almost a farce. We know that a great deal of our
“ Sheffield cutlery ” is now made elsewhere, and
that the same degeneration has affected our textiles,
from Kidderminster carpets to Honiton lace. One
of the first battles of industrial reform is surely for
the principle of honesty in the naming of goods;
and the Home Arts and Industries Association are
undoubtedly right in trying to restore the just and
CABINET DESIGNED BY W. J. HEADY
EXECUTED BY THOMAS PAGE
A scott Class
reasonable pride of place to their craftsmen. The
COPPER FENDER DESIGNED BY J. B. MACKENZIE
EXECUTED BY R. HODDER
Newlyn Class
106