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HALL 30 AND ALCON/t lOt. 
SECTION OF CERAMIC INDUSTRIES. 
The introduction of the most primitive of ceramic arts in any 
part of the globe is regarded as a first step in the beginning of 
civilization, and many objects made by the ancient peoples are to 
be found in the halls devoted to archaeology. While the fabrica- 
tion of Chinese and Japanese porcelain has been carried on for 
centuries, the manufacture in Europe began only about two hun- 
dred years ago. There the great masters of the art for years en- 
joyed the patronage of kings and princes. 
Seventy years ago the first hard porcelains made in America 
came from the Tucker works near Philadelphia, but the industry 
languished after 1838. Several pieces of fine “Tucker” ware 
are in the collection. 
The development of the art in America in late years is most 
encouraging The handsome pavilion presented to the Museum 
by the Northwestern Terra Cotta Company of Chicago, which oc- 
cupies a position in the West Court near the west entrance, is a 
fine example of the success achieved in artistic Terra Cotta work. 
The most striking objects in the Section of Ceramics are the 
two handsome large royal blue Berlin porcelain Vases, decorated 
with medallions, Cupids and festoons of golden vines and raised 
flowers. They stand 9 feet 2 inches high, and are among the 
largest porcelain vases ever made ; they were greatly admired 
by the thousands of visitors to the German Section in the Manu- 
factures Building during the Exposition. They are a gift from 
Richard Horstman, of Berlin, and are of great value. 
Gerard Dufraisseix & Co., of Limoges, France, also made a 
handsome contribution to this Section, consisting of a large porce- 
lain center-piece for dining table, remarkable for success achieved 
in delicate coloring at high temperature. 
Valuable collections of glassware, earthenware and porce- 
lains were contributed by the governments of Mexico, Sweden and 
Japan, the Venice and Murano Co., The Worcester Royal Porce- 
lain Co., and the Saint Mary’s Porcelain China Works. 
Case 1. — Large ornamented Porcelain Vases from Japan; 
gift of the Japanese Government. “Temptation” and “Victory” 
