18 Minnesota Academy of Science 



into one collection, they make a most magnificent and beau- 

 tiful display, one that approaches (from one standpoint) the 

 finest exhibitions of art of the more ancient or even of the 

 modern times. The fine old Kiang-she or Ming vases and 

 some of the fine old Persian that have found their way down 

 through the centuries, the fine old Delft pieces of Pinachre 

 and other celebrated potters, and the later magnificent pieces 

 of Wedgewood and some of the Sevre or Majolica, or the old 

 Greek vases, will probably maintain their commercial values 

 and will increase in art value ; and there will be a still higher 

 appreciation of the more modern art, which will come to be 

 taken on its merit as beautiful work independent of its his- 

 torical value. 



The painter's art will probably always remain in the 

 front, but as time goes on, the beautiful colors, forms and 

 finish of the porcelains and glass when made in their highest 

 and most artistic forms will gain even more than they have 

 within the past fifty years. 



The potter's art became both the greatest industry as 

 well as art, of the early and mediaeval times. The finest 

 pieces produced became art treasures that were highly prized 

 and were valued at high prices. 



Many of the finest pieces were placed in fine cases or 

 boxes lined with silk and cotton and held as accumulated 

 wealth or capital to be used as sources of revenue in case of 

 necessity or as capital to use in trade or industry. The 

 prices at which many of them were held seems excessive 

 compared with values on other things. 



November, 1910. 



