450 



FORM AND ORNAMENT IN CERAMIC ART. 



section in whicb pouch-like nets and baskets, a, were formerly in use 

 and in which the pots were often modeled. 



INVENTION OF FORM. 



In the early stages of art, forms are rarely invented outright and I 

 shall not stop to consider the subject here. 



MODIFICATION OF FORM. 



The acquisition of new materials, the development of new uses, the 

 employment of new processes of manufacture, and many other agencies 

 lead to the multiplication of forms through modification. The proc- 

 esses by which highly differentiated forms are reached are interesting 

 throughout and repay the closest study. 



A preliminary classification of the various causes that lead to modi- 

 fication is given in the following synopsis: 



Modification of foriu . ■ 



Bv adventition . . 



(To a 

 ( Tor 



assume form, 

 retain form. 



Incapacity of materia] 



Incapacity of the artisan 



Changes in method of manufacture. 



I '!i an^cs of environment. 

 Changes of use. 

 Lack of use. 



Influence of new or exotic forms, etc, 

 j- To enhance usefulness. 



By intention 



To please fancy 



For the beautiful. 

 For the grotesque. 



MODIFICATION BY ADVENTITION. 



Incapacity of material. — It is evident at a glance that clay lacks the 

 capacity to assume and to retain many of the details of form found in 

 antecedent vessels. This necessarily results in the alteration or omission 

 of these features, and hence arise many modifications of original forms. 



The simple lack of capacity on the part of the potter who undertook 

 to reproduce a model would lead to the modification of all but the most 

 simple shapes. 



The acquisition of the art by a superior or an inferior race, or one of 

 different habits would lead to decided changes. A people accustomed 

 to carrying objects upon the head, on acquiring earthen vessels would 

 shape the bases and the handles to facilitate this use. 



Improvements in the methods of manufacture are of the greatest im- 

 portance in the progress of an art. The introduction of the lathe, for 

 example, might almost revolutionize form in clay. 



As arts multiply, clay is applied to new uses. Its employment in the 

 manufacture of lamps, whistles, or toys would lead to a multitude of dis- 

 tinct and unique forms. 



