Studio: international art (28.1903)

The Arts and Crafts Exhibition

DECANTER DESIGNED BY H. J. POWELL

EXHIBITED BY J. POWELL
AND SONS

Turning from architectural glass to that ot
household utility, we recognise in Mr. H. J.
Powell as genuine an artist in table-glass as Mr.
Fisher is in metals. The wonderful daintiness
and distinction of his work well deserve a
leading place in the exhibition. When we
recall the heavy and uninspiring cut-glass
vessels which were part of the ideal of a well-
loaded table fifty years ago, the change of taste
in this matter alone is cause for encouragement.
Here at least meaningless ornament has been
stripped off and simple forms made efficient and
beautiful, with room for poetry and imagination
to play in them, and above all for the frank and
natural use of light and colour. The decora-
tion is slight, but of the choicest kind; the

stems of wineglasses serving sometimes to suggest
those of flowers, and the silver mounts of jugs
and flasks affording legitimate points of ornament,
but it is rightly in the forms themselves that beauty
is chiefly sought for. Even the inevitable " coro-
nation cup " becomes endurable in Mr. Powell's
skilful hands, and the plainest table-wares are
entirely satisfying to the eye and hand. Visitors
to the exhibition will find much to interest and
instruct them in Messrs. Powell's exhibit.

The printed books, bindings and illustrations,
manuscripts and illuminations will be dealt with
fully in a future number of The Studio. Suffice
it to say here that they are rich in interest and
merit, though not without blemishes that might
have been easily remedied, such as in the pages
from Dante's Inferno printed, with notes, by the

GLASS DESIGNED BY H. J. POWELL

EXHIBITED BY J. POWELL AND SONS

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