464 



FORM AND ORNAMENT IN CERAMIC ART. 



the general course of nature decorative forms began with simple ele- 

 ments and developed by systematic methods to complex forms. Take 

 for example the series of designs shown in Fig. 488. The meander a 

 made up of simple parts would, according to Mr. Hartt. by further elab- 

 oration under the supervision of the muscles of the eye, develop into b. 

 This, in time, into c, and so on until the elegant anthemium was achieved. 

 The series shown in Fig. 489 would develop in a similar way, or otherwise 

 would be produced by modification in free-hand copving of the rectilinear 



ITLnJISlTi 



b 



[MfflW 



M^MMMS 



Fig. 488. — Theoretical development of fret work. 



series. The processes here suggested, although to all appearances rea- 

 sonable enough, should not be passed over without careful scrutiny. 



Taking the first series, we observe that the ornaments are projected in 

 straight continuous lines or zones, which are filled in with more or less 

 complex parts, rectilinear and geometrically accurate. Still higher 

 forms are marvelously intricate and graceful, yet not less geometric and 

 symmetrical. 



Let us turn to the primitive artisan, and observe him at work with 

 rude brush and stylus upon the rounded and irregular forms of his 



