868 MOSAIC WOOL-WORK 



In the Gobelins and Beauvais tapestry we have examples of the most artistic pro- 

 ductions, executed with a mechanical skill of the highest order, when we consider the 

 material in which the work is executed. The method of manufacture, involving 

 artistic power on the part of the workman, great manipulatory skill, and the expen- 

 diture of much time, necessarily removes those productions from the reach of any but 

 the wealthy. Various attempts have been made, from time to time, to produce a 

 textile fabric which should equal those tapestries in beauty, and which should be sold 

 to the public at much lower prices. None of these appear to have been successful, 

 until the increasing applications of india-rubber pointed to a plan by which high 

 artistic excellence might be combined with moderate cost. In Berlin, and subse- 

 quently in Paris, plans (in most respects similar to the plan we are about to describe) 

 were tried, but in neither instance with complete success. Of course, there cannot 

 now be many of our readers who have not been attracted by the many life-like repre- 

 sentations of lions and dogs which have for the last few years been exhibited in the 

 carpet-warehouses of the metropolis, and other large cities. While we admit the 

 perfection of the manufacture, we are compelled to remark that the designs which 

 have been chosen are not such as appear to us to be quite appropriate, when we con- 

 sider the purposes for which a rug is intended. However, from their very attractive 

 character and moderate cost, those rugs find a large number of purchasers, by whom 

 they are doubtless greatly admired. It will, however, be obvious to our readers, that 

 they are not consistent with the principles of design, and that there is a want of con- 

 sistency in the idea of treading upon the ' monarch of the forest,' copied with that 

 remarkable life-likeness which distinguishes the productions of Sir Edwin Landseer ; 

 or in placing one's feet in the midst of dogs or of poultry, when the resemblances 

 are sufficiently striking to impress you with the idea that the dogs will bark and that 

 the cock will crow. We believe that less picturesque subjects, in accordance with the 

 law which we conceive to be the true one which gives true beauty only to that 

 which is, in its applications, consistent and harmonious, would be yet greater fa- 

 vourites than those rugs now manufactured by the Messrs. Crossleys. And amidst 

 the amount of good which these excellent men are doing to all who come within 

 their influence, we are certain they might, with the means at their command, in- 

 troduce an arrangement of colours which might delight by their harmonious blend- 

 ing, and a system of designs which, pure and consistent, should ever charm the eye, 

 without attempting to deceive either it, or any of the senses. Every attempt to ad- 

 vance the taste of a people is worthy of all honour ; and having the power, as tho 

 manufacturers of the mosaic rugs have, of producing works of the highest artistic ex- 

 cellence, we should be rejoiced to see them employing that power to cultivate amongst 

 all classes a correct perception of the true and the beautiful. 



With these remarks we proceed to a description of the manufacture. 



Every lady who has devoted herself for a season, when it was the fashion to do so, 

 to Berlin wool-work, will appreciate the importance of a careful arrangement of all 

 the coloured worsteds which are to be used in the composition of her design. Here, 

 where many hundreds of colours, combinations of colours, and shades are required, 

 in great quantities and in long lengths, the utmost order is necessary ; and the system 

 adopted in this establishment is in this respect excellent. We have, for example, 

 grouped under each of tho primary colours, all the tints of each respective colour that 

 the dyer can produce, and between each large division the mixtures of colour pro- 

 ducing the neutral tones, and the interblcnding shades which may be required to copy 

 the artist with fidelity. Skeins of worsted thus arranged are ever ready for the 

 English mosaicisti in rug-work. Such is the material. Now to describe the manner 

 of proceeding. In the first place an artist is employed to copy, of the exact size re- 

 quired for the rug, a work of Landseer's, or any other master, which may be selected 

 for the purpose. Although the process of copying is in this case mechanical, con- 

 siderable skill is required to produce tho desired result. This will be familiar to all 

 who have observed the peculiar characteristics of the Berlin wool-work patterns. 

 The picture being completed, it is ruled over in squares, each of about twelve inches. 

 These are again interruled with small squares, which correspond with the threads of 

 which the finished work is to consist. This original being completed, it is copied 

 upon lined paper by girls who are trained to the work, each girl having a square of 

 about twelve inches to work on. These arc the copies which go into the manu- 

 factory. A square is given to a young woman whose duty it is to match all the colours 

 in wool. This is a task of great delicacy, requiring a very fine appreciation of colour. 

 It becomes necessary in many cases to combine two threads of wool, especially to 

 produce the neutral tints. It is very interesting to observe the care with which every 

 variety of colour is matched. Tho skeins of worsted are taken, and a knot or knob 

 being formed so as to increase the quantity of coloured surface, it is brought down 

 on the coloured picture ; and when the right shades have been selected, they are 



