DOI issue:
No. 164 (November, 1906)
DOI article:Vallance, Aymer: Of some recent plaster work by Mr. G. P. Bankart
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20716#0168
Mr. G. P. Bankart's Plaster Work
be treated with a different type of design from
ceilings. Many designs suitable fcr a vertical
surface would be out of place on a ceiling and
vice versa. An upright pattern, with top and
bottom, howsoever effective on a wall, will not do
for a horizontal ceiling, which must be able to be
viewed from any position in the room without con-
veying the uncomfortable consciousness of the
ornament being upside down.
It is surprising how rich and satisfying a result
is obtained by the play of light and shadow on the
whitewashed relief, without the help of any colour
whatever—not even for differentiating the tinctures
in the heraldic portions of the decoration. Indeed,
colour-tinting of plaster relief opens out a wide
vista of possibilities altogether beyond the range
of.the present subject.
As to the question of motifs, it is one that is
best left to be decided on its own merits in each
individual instance. Local flowers, birds and
insects; folklore and proverbs ; the owner's
favourite motto—posy, as it used to be called—his
crest or family badge; some device founded on a
canting allusion to his name or origin; all-and
any of these afford appropriate subjects and
occasions for the introduction of ornamental
lettering j floral and animal forms, or others, again,
borrowed from fable-land or heraldry.
With regard to the accompanying reproductions
of Mr. Bankart's plaster work, it so happens that
with one exception—an interesting frieze for a
dining-room in a house in Yorkshire, in which
is depicted a hunt, with riders, hounds and quarry
—all the subjects dealt with by the artist are taken
from the vegetable world. But notwithstanding
this limitation, a great wealth of variety is observ-
able. If among these it be not invidious to
particularise, perhaps I may venture to draw
attention to the vine borders from a room at
Coupar Angus, Perthshire (p. r47), which strike me
as especially beautiful and delicate renderings of a
well worn but never exhausted theme. If not in
DINING-ROOM, THORPE UNDERWOOD, YORKS
I48
PLASTER DECORATION ISY G. P. BANKART
be treated with a different type of design from
ceilings. Many designs suitable fcr a vertical
surface would be out of place on a ceiling and
vice versa. An upright pattern, with top and
bottom, howsoever effective on a wall, will not do
for a horizontal ceiling, which must be able to be
viewed from any position in the room without con-
veying the uncomfortable consciousness of the
ornament being upside down.
It is surprising how rich and satisfying a result
is obtained by the play of light and shadow on the
whitewashed relief, without the help of any colour
whatever—not even for differentiating the tinctures
in the heraldic portions of the decoration. Indeed,
colour-tinting of plaster relief opens out a wide
vista of possibilities altogether beyond the range
of.the present subject.
As to the question of motifs, it is one that is
best left to be decided on its own merits in each
individual instance. Local flowers, birds and
insects; folklore and proverbs ; the owner's
favourite motto—posy, as it used to be called—his
crest or family badge; some device founded on a
canting allusion to his name or origin; all-and
any of these afford appropriate subjects and
occasions for the introduction of ornamental
lettering j floral and animal forms, or others, again,
borrowed from fable-land or heraldry.
With regard to the accompanying reproductions
of Mr. Bankart's plaster work, it so happens that
with one exception—an interesting frieze for a
dining-room in a house in Yorkshire, in which
is depicted a hunt, with riders, hounds and quarry
—all the subjects dealt with by the artist are taken
from the vegetable world. But notwithstanding
this limitation, a great wealth of variety is observ-
able. If among these it be not invidious to
particularise, perhaps I may venture to draw
attention to the vine borders from a room at
Coupar Angus, Perthshire (p. r47), which strike me
as especially beautiful and delicate renderings of a
well worn but never exhausted theme. If not in
DINING-ROOM, THORPE UNDERWOOD, YORKS
I48
PLASTER DECORATION ISY G. P. BANKART