Studio: international art (72.1918)

Irish Arts and Crafts

SILVER PENDANT AND CHAIN, WITH JEWELS AND
ENAMEL. BY INEZ M. HOLLOWAY

have developed in the two countries. Irishmen
have been aroused to observe the principles of
true craftsmanship as revealed in the best
examples, and stimulated to find their own
expression. On the latter point the following

PENDANT OF GOLD WITH
PLIQUE-A-JOUR ENAMEL :
" THE WATER-LILY.” BY
MRS. MEAVE O’BYRNE-
DOGGETT

paragrapn irom tne
Foreword ” to the cata-
logue of the present ex-
hibition affords a view of
the attitude adopted:
“Few countries require
the inspiration of a native
development more than
Ireland. Few peoples
would respond to it with
more fruitful results.
Our people have the rich
tradition of an age whose
powers were great enough
to produce such works
as the Cross of Cong; the
Ardagh chalice, and the
Tara brooch. A people
capable of such tri-
umphs in design and in

execution must have within them the power to
revive their ancient glories—the germ of a new
life of artistic achievement—or, better still, to
direct their inspiration into quite new but equally
vigorous modes of expression. Those who have
faith in the craftsmen of Ireland believe that
they will regain in another age and under different
conditions the mastery of methods and materials
which made their forerunners famous. No art
which inspires the ideals and activities of eager
craftsmen can live on the past alone. It must
draw its inspiration from the movements of the
present, although it may
be grateful to the past
so far as the traditions
of other ages are helpful
to the present. In pass-
ing, it may be noticed
that the vigour of the
aesthetic movement in
France to - day derives
its strength from its
whole-hearted expression
of the life of modern
France and her people.

It is therefore essential
that no slavish reversion
to ancient forms, however
beautiful, or to traditions,
ho.wever well established,
should hamper — should
do more than tend to
help—the Irish craftsman
of to-day. Art is the ex-
pression of the passion
for beauty of the men
who are devoted to the
creation of noble things,
and of all those who by
sympathy are helping
them in this splendid
task. This task cannot
be achieved without love
of all that makes its
home, the sea-girt isle,
the mystery and the
beauty and the sadness
of an island cut off by
‘ the unplumbed, salt,
estranging sea,’ kept green
and fresh by her sea mists,
made sad and strange by
her clouds and rain. And


CARTOON FOR STAINED

glass: “the prodi-
gal SON.** BY WIL-
HELMINA M. GEDDIS

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