192 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



May, 1913 



Two interesting map Samplers from the collection of Mr. Alexander W. Drake, of New York 



One way to determine this is by a shine of brilliant gold 

 seen in some lights and a ruby purple in others, for the 

 glaze is due to a mixture of gold with other substances. 

 These were made in Brislington, Swansea and Sunderland, 

 but also in Staffordshire, with the exception of the Wedge- 

 wood pieces; these were an inferior character. 



This glaze is the least durable of all lustres, possibly 

 on account of its being laid on such a thin film. Cups and 

 saucers are found entirely covered with this glaze, but 



a a B B B B B B B a B a a B B B B B H B B a B a a B B B a B B a B B B B B B a a B B B B B a B B 



MAP SAMPLERS 



(Continued from page 17 S) 

 SM3TSSSXK8S a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a »»SflaSp« a a a a« a a a a a «"hB 



interesting as showing the little worker's knowledge of the 

 geography of the "dark continent." This map of Africa 

 is a truly beautiful sampler which must have been the work 

 of many months for the clever little needlewoman who em- 

 broidered it so long ago. Upon a ground of ecru canvas they are very rare, and always of the best period, 1790- 

 the African continent is outlined in old red just within a l8oo Wedgewood made some wonderful pieces in such 

 line of blue. The political divisions are outlined in yellow, f orms as candlestick shells and typical basket work. Here 

 the rivers are green and black is used to work the names of t h e beauty of design depended on shape and lustre alone; 

 the countries and the islands and bodies of water which t h es e were always good, the articles being entirely covered 

 surround. The sampler is bordered with Roses and Pinks w j t h a mottled ruby lustre of great beauty, 

 and a blue flower which defies classification, but which is Perhaps the most interesting is the pink lustre, which 

 so decorated that its invention for the occasion is fully j s pictorial in character, transfer or printed patterns being 

 justified. used. They show such a variety of subjects, including 

 The vogue of map samplers appears to have been con- hunting scenes, Masonic emblems and figures of emblematic 

 fined to the latter part of the eighteenth century, and the character. Considerable quantities of this ware were made 

 first thirty years of the century following. That they by Enoch Wood. 



were not made more frequently is perhaps owing to the The company or Ministers' set found in many a New 



fact that they offered no rich opportunity for a bold and England homestead was of pink lustre. It stood for eighty 



striking decorative effect and afforded no great scope for odd years unharmed and with fair usage can be made to 



the exhibition of a great variety of stitches. Their possi- ] as t as many more. 



bilities were probably too limited to attract the fancy of I n 1838 electroplating was invented, and from that time 



the youthful workers of samplers who after attaining the G n the ware decreased. It is thought that it ceased be- 



skill necessary for the creditable execution of such an i ng manufactured as late as 1850, or 60, only about fifty 



achievement doubtless wished the sampler to assume the years ago. It seems strange while so much lustre was 



form best adapted for a fitting display of their abilities, manufactured, that it should have disappeared in such a 



jglliMlSlillllllSK^^ short time. It is a known fact, that most potters made 



LUSTRE-WARE Lustre-Ware, and if one could only find a list, it would 



,„ . ,. , D ,,i embrace almost every well-known English potter's name. 



I Continued from page Jo^J T ,. ..... 1 r 1 <- 1 1 • 1 



Looking back, it is almost wonderful to find that articles 



(gaMXKl a r a"a a a a aa'a'a a a a a a aa a a a a aa aa a aa a aa aa a a a a a a"a afa, ,-, ■,. j 1 r 1 • 11 1 1 • 



which were designed and fashioned by old time artisans 



great heat was used. Two marks designate this ware, one rarely lacked usefulness and beauty. It is well that so many 



of which is an impressed "N," which is found on the hard examples are left behind, to emphasize to moderns — the 



paste ware made much earlier. The second shows the law of Utility first, Beauty second, in all things which are 



name Newhall, which is printed in either dull red or brown, made for use. It is not alone in their being a reminder of the 



and which is surrounded by a double circle. It is found on delightful part that old objects appeal to the collector, — he 



thicker soft paste ware. is just as interested in their power to inspire the future. 



