506 



TERRA-COTTA 0RNAMBNT8. 



TERRA-COTTA ORNAMENTS. 



WixniN a few years articles in terra-cotta have come into extensive use for 

 architectural and other ornaments, and this branch of art-manufacture is now car- 

 ried to great excellence and beauty. The materials used are the finest clays, free 

 from oxide of iron, which are mixed with calcined flints and old crushed pottery, 

 and baked in a temperature but little below fusion. Modern terra-cottas are 

 quite different from the articles known among the ancients under that name, and 

 are much more durable. The beautiful examples above, ^consist of a water cooler, 

 with decorations in the mediaeval style, two hanging baskets, vases, &c. The 

 models are graceful, and the ornaments are applied with excellent taste and effect. 



The Staffordshire potteries are among the most interesting localities, in an indus- 

 trial point of view,- in England; Mr. Minton's establishment should be inspected 

 by the American traveller, who will there find much to admire and reflect upon. 

 Why it is that we are still dependent on Europe, and England especially, for all 

 our wares of this kind, is only a cpiestion, we ])resume, of labor; but it is under- 

 stood that a new attempt is making at the South to obtain independence in this 

 particular. 



