DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1327#0213
THE CRYSTAL PALACE AND ITS CONTENTS;
!.:
1
FURNITURE AND DECORATION.
PAPIER-MACH&
AMONG tlio numerous articles displayed uHho Exhibition, there aro few
which, in their mair.;f.i,:'.u', :d or limshed state, arc more attractive to
the sight, or which have higher claims to the admiration of the visitor, than
those formed of tho material known as papier-miens'. Whether in the
shape of domestic furniture, to which it has recently been applied, or in
articles of general domestic, utility, its beauty anil agreeabieucssarc equally
striking. Indeed, such is the nature of the material—so ductile, so light,
and so economical—that it appears adapted for almost universal appli-
cation. Admitting a polish almost equal to that of glass itself, and
receiving colours nearly as bright a* llmse capable of being placed upon
canvas, it furnishes a most attractive surface alike to the industrial skill
of tho humble artisan and to the genius of tho artist.
The merit of inventing this beautiful and useful material is claimed by
our French neighbours, and the manufacture of the article is carried on to
a great extent in Paris; but in the application of this substance to articles
of general domestic utility and ornament, it cannot be disputed that we
are far ahead at present, not only of France, but of the entire Continent.
Indeed, to such an extent is it carried out, that it may almost be con-
sidered an industrial art peculiarly our own; and for papier-mache work
Birmingham stands unrivalled. There is an active competition between
the English and French work in Franco itself: indeed, so keenly is the
competition felt by our neighbours, that they impose an exceedingly heavy
duty upon its importation, amounting almost to a prohibition upon the
low-priced articles.
Tho manufacture of papier-mache articles was, we believe, first intro-
duced into Birmingham by Messrs. Jennens and Bettridge, of Halkin-
strcot, Kmghtsbridge-thcirprincipal manufactory being at Birmingham—
about half a century since. At this stage of the manufacture tea-trays only
were made. The inventor and patentee of the manufacture of tea-trays in
In addition to ihe.-o purposes, tho material lias been iionbTT^^ I
bliages, cornices, mouldings, and other articles of inSi T ^ '
which has all the beautiful effects of enamelling; and under mdinair
circumstances has been found to be remarkably durable. Admirabl;
specimens of panel-work, formed of this substance, are also to bs tenia
the saloous of the Europa, Asia, Africa, Hindostan, and Oriental slaa-
packets: but we question whether tho material is adapted to bar tLs
nd tear caused by the
t and shaking of steam-post:
and weather combined, ffi
C. Bielcficld, of Wdlingic.
street, Strand, has, by hi
skill and enterprise, tea
much for the extended us
of this material for all fcieii
of ornamental purposes, n»
ther required for flat surface,
or in the most elaborate p>
turo and glass frames.
In the manufacture of k-
pier-macbe, the paper usls
similar in texture to ordfcsrf
blotting-paper, but of ijpg
colour. Prior to using it, il
is well saturated with flow
and glue, mixed with irate,
in about equal proportion
and is then laid on the wm
of the article intended tot-;
produced, These moulds m
of iron, brass, fi
copper. The uiouk.
coated with tbe first
layer of W* B
then dried at a w
of 00 dcg. or
10!
papier-mache" was Mr. Clay, of Birmingham. Tho firm has, from the com-
mencement, gradually proceeded to develope the capabilities of this material
by adapting it to new purposes, until the variety of articles now produced
ia almost innumerable. Articles of furniture made from it, such as chairs,
tables, sofas, cabinets, secretaires, screens, vases, and even pianofortes, were
displayed at tho Exhibition, with writing-desks, work-boxes, papoteries,
inkstands, &c, in almost oudles/; variety of .style and decoration.
Fahr. »]j
A careW
paper, uuw J
article assuiue^
required si"- *
mnl thickness.^
commodities "*> £
been made * -
inches in *!-*g
An ordinal 5
tray, ofa-P'-f1.;
- an inch in W*£
takes about thirty sheets of paper, or ten layers. iVheu the iMWj
formed article is taken from the mould, the several parts are- U!aBcj'
filed, and trimmed, so as to bo correct and level. A P^C^
"stovmg" next follows, in which the varnish is laid on, and b"1'^
to a smooth, hard, and brilliant surface. This completed, 'lie "jtj
delicate portion of the manufacture commences. The article is ow
with several layers of shellac varnish, coloured, which, aft*1' "^
!.:
1
FURNITURE AND DECORATION.
PAPIER-MACH&
AMONG tlio numerous articles displayed uHho Exhibition, there aro few
which, in their mair.;f.i,:'.u', :d or limshed state, arc more attractive to
the sight, or which have higher claims to the admiration of the visitor, than
those formed of tho material known as papier-miens'. Whether in the
shape of domestic furniture, to which it has recently been applied, or in
articles of general domestic, utility, its beauty anil agreeabieucssarc equally
striking. Indeed, such is the nature of the material—so ductile, so light,
and so economical—that it appears adapted for almost universal appli-
cation. Admitting a polish almost equal to that of glass itself, and
receiving colours nearly as bright a* llmse capable of being placed upon
canvas, it furnishes a most attractive surface alike to the industrial skill
of tho humble artisan and to the genius of tho artist.
The merit of inventing this beautiful and useful material is claimed by
our French neighbours, and the manufacture of the article is carried on to
a great extent in Paris; but in the application of this substance to articles
of general domestic utility and ornament, it cannot be disputed that we
are far ahead at present, not only of France, but of the entire Continent.
Indeed, to such an extent is it carried out, that it may almost be con-
sidered an industrial art peculiarly our own; and for papier-mache work
Birmingham stands unrivalled. There is an active competition between
the English and French work in Franco itself: indeed, so keenly is the
competition felt by our neighbours, that they impose an exceedingly heavy
duty upon its importation, amounting almost to a prohibition upon the
low-priced articles.
Tho manufacture of papier-mache articles was, we believe, first intro-
duced into Birmingham by Messrs. Jennens and Bettridge, of Halkin-
strcot, Kmghtsbridge-thcirprincipal manufactory being at Birmingham—
about half a century since. At this stage of the manufacture tea-trays only
were made. The inventor and patentee of the manufacture of tea-trays in
In addition to ihe.-o purposes, tho material lias been iionbTT^^ I
bliages, cornices, mouldings, and other articles of inSi T ^ '
which has all the beautiful effects of enamelling; and under mdinair
circumstances has been found to be remarkably durable. Admirabl;
specimens of panel-work, formed of this substance, are also to bs tenia
the saloous of the Europa, Asia, Africa, Hindostan, and Oriental slaa-
packets: but we question whether tho material is adapted to bar tLs
nd tear caused by the
t and shaking of steam-post:
and weather combined, ffi
C. Bielcficld, of Wdlingic.
street, Strand, has, by hi
skill and enterprise, tea
much for the extended us
of this material for all fcieii
of ornamental purposes, n»
ther required for flat surface,
or in the most elaborate p>
turo and glass frames.
In the manufacture of k-
pier-macbe, the paper usls
similar in texture to ordfcsrf
blotting-paper, but of ijpg
colour. Prior to using it, il
is well saturated with flow
and glue, mixed with irate,
in about equal proportion
and is then laid on the wm
of the article intended tot-;
produced, These moulds m
of iron, brass, fi
copper. The uiouk.
coated with tbe first
layer of W* B
then dried at a w
of 00 dcg. or
10!
papier-mache" was Mr. Clay, of Birmingham. Tho firm has, from the com-
mencement, gradually proceeded to develope the capabilities of this material
by adapting it to new purposes, until the variety of articles now produced
ia almost innumerable. Articles of furniture made from it, such as chairs,
tables, sofas, cabinets, secretaires, screens, vases, and even pianofortes, were
displayed at tho Exhibition, with writing-desks, work-boxes, papoteries,
inkstands, &c, in almost oudles/; variety of .style and decoration.
Fahr. »]j
A careW
paper, uuw J
article assuiue^
required si"- *
mnl thickness.^
commodities "*> £
been made * -
inches in *!-*g
An ordinal 5
tray, ofa-P'-f1.;
- an inch in W*£
takes about thirty sheets of paper, or ten layers. iVheu the iMWj
formed article is taken from the mould, the several parts are- U!aBcj'
filed, and trimmed, so as to bo correct and level. A P^C^
"stovmg" next follows, in which the varnish is laid on, and b"1'^
to a smooth, hard, and brilliant surface. This completed, 'lie "jtj
delicate portion of the manufacture commences. The article is ow
with several layers of shellac varnish, coloured, which, aft*1' "^