Studio: international art (20.1900)

Bench-ends

would destroy their charm, individuality, and
texture—most important of qualities in wood or
stone carving.

And how well these old craftsmen understood
the effect of light and shade ! One feels that each
bench was carved for the space it occupies and has
not fallen there by accident; and, after all, how-
ever well work may look on the bench, the proper
time to judge it is when it takes its final place
amongst its intended surroundings.

These old bench-ends are not only a delight, but
a serious lesson to the craftsman of to-day; for
however excellent an architect's design may be,
all is liable to be spoilt if the hand that guides
the tool is not in communication with a "head"
as well.

BENCH-END AT CROWCOMBE FROM A SKETCH

BY J. H. BLAMEY

242

BENCH-END AT KINGSTON FROM A SKETCH

BY J. H. BLAMEY

It is time that the authorities at South Kensing-
ton fully recognised that we had in England a
school of really great craftsmen, in their way quite
equal to any on the Continent, which latter are
well represented at the Museum. The original
carvings should not, and fortunately cannot, in
most cases be removed from their surroundings,
but casts could be easily obtained and the
student would have an opportunity of studying
them.

It is to be hoped that some day, not far distant,
the State will see its way to make itself responsible
for the safekeeping of all that is old and beautiful
in our churches, for owing to the want of taste
or to the carelessness of many of the clergy and
churchwardens, numbers of fine things are being