HOME DECORATIONS. 
A Novel Idea for Plaques. 
T HERE are plaques of all sizes and materials; some of 
metal, wood, porcelain, or papier-mache, but most of 
them require framing to give them a finished appearance ; 
but for those which we are about to describe, a frame is 
entirely unnecessary, for frame and plaque are combined in 
one, and are no other than the round wooden bread-boards 
which are intended as a general thing for use in families 
where the bread is cut upon the table. 
a brush, and the directions for using it are given with 
each box. 
This gives the appearance of a gilt frame, and on the plain 
inner surface the design may be traced with pencil. Flowers, 
birds, figures, or whatever is preferred, will look well. 
One of the prettiest designs which we have seen used 
was the copy of an engraving entitled “ Lending a Hand ” 
—an old fisherman with his little granddaughter in a boat 
which had been becalmed, and the little one was'endeav- 
oring to help her grandfather with the oar. 
A Novel Plaque. 
The frame, or rather border, in many cases is carved 
with a motto in raised letters; these, of course, would not 
be at all appropriate ; therefore, in selecting them for decor¬ 
ating, choose those with a border which has no lettering, 
and the carving plain or elaborate as desired. 
The wooden surface within the border is for the design, 
the border itself to be gilded either with the prepared 
powders, such as Marsching’s, or William’s gold; or first 
cover the frame with gold-sizing, then gild with gold leaf. 
The latter is much more troublesome, as it is difficult 
to put the gold leaf on smoothly, unless one has had 
some previous experience in applying it. The gold 
powder is simply mixed with varnish, and applied with 
There are also many styles of figures or heads which 
fit well on plaques. 
The design given in our illustration is of Wild-roses and 
butterflies. For the background paint a light-gray sky 
with white and gray clouds, and a slight break in the 
clouds where a patch of blue sky may be seen. Shade 
gradually down to deeper gray, then to a rich warm tint, 
with burnt sienna. The Roses are, of course, pink, and 
the leaves green, deepened where there are shadows with 
Vandyke brown, or lightened with white. 
The butterflies are of burnt sienna with the dark border 
on the edge of the wings, also the veining of black. 
In order to hang them, a screw-ring, such as those used 
