Studio: international art (34.1905)

Designs for Domestic Architecture

—I do not know that they are demanded—but
what work has been done is deserving of all praise.
To what does such a movement lead—for it is
admittedly still in its infancy? Capacity! Capacity,

APPLICATION OF NATURAL FOLIAGE
TO JEWELLERY

not only to execute but to see and to appreciate.
It is a necessary corollary that art-craftsmen must
have an art-loving public to produce for. In
adopting this broad view of their office the com-
mittee of the Schools are wise.

Future developments of this training depend
upon many things ; partly on circumstance and
partly upon the varying capacity of the student.
It is, perhaps, a pity that there is a tendency to
expect more immediate results from the art schools
than from other educational institutions. We do
not expect to find efficient men of affairs turned
out ready made from our public schools, or to find
every graduate of our universities a finished philo-
sopher, a man of letters. Neither should we expect
that every student of our art schools should in a
brief space be transformed into an original designer
or finished artist in any branch, or require that the
test of his training should be his immediate ability
to earn a good income, which, in our utilitarian
age, is the chief consideration with too many.
Rather should we be satisfied if the greater pro-
portion of the students are simply imbued with
that love and appreciation of true art which must
be generally felt before we can become an artistic
nation; just as we are satisfied if the chief gain
from a course at our public schools is the spirit of
manliness, fair play, and straight living which is
one of our chief national assets.

And here I must record the latest move on the
part of the schools committee. Free admissions,
direct from school, are granted to lads who intend
to become jewellers or silversmiths. These lads

33°

commence their art training concurrently with their
workshop training; and any lad who does not, in
the opinion of the masters, seem fitted for the trade
he has chosen is advised not to follow it any longer.
This is a pretty advanced conception of the func-
tions of a school, but in the interests of the students
and the trade alike it seems a sound view to take.
It all makes for greater efficiency, and the general
trend of the school training bids fair to make Bir-
mingham the Mecca of art teachers and students
from all parts of the kingdom. A. S. W.

RECENT DESIGNS FOR DO-
MESTIC ARCHITECTURE.
The initial problem confronting the de-
signer of the country house is involved in the
choice of the best position on the ground for the
building ; and, like most first steps, it counts for
much in the final success of the scheme. On
restricted sites the problem is somewhat simplified
by the limitation of possibilities; but there is always

n

APPLICATION OF NATURAL DESIGN
TO JEWELLERY

present the unfounded assumption that, whatever
the aspect, the principal sitting-room should face
the road and give the passer-by an opportunity of
appraising its elegances. It is also written that