14 
HOUSE AND GARDEN 
August, 1015 
I 
Wmm 
wmm. 
invitingly. And the making of an artistic home, in this sense, is 
not so much a matter of training as of intention and a certain 
fineness of character. 
Furthermore, the happy results of the group of young men at 
Mt. Vernon would prove that an art-training is not indispensable, 
but that skill to do can be gained by doing, a clear desire creating 
a dear conception. Homes of this kind are never subject to 
fashion; they are their own fashion; they are appropriate, beau¬ 
tiful—and with that fashion, as such, has nothing to do. 
As to appropriate motifs for our home art, these may best 
come from our own native sources, the Colonial and the Indian, 
when they cannot be drawn direct from the nature which sur¬ 
rounds our domestic conditions. This last is desirable, and will 
make itself felt in any sin¬ 
cere creation. Indian design, 
however, was a fireside art, 
telling some tale of experi¬ 
ence or fancy in such mate¬ 
rials as were at hand. The 
Colonial was essentially a 
domestic art, the early pieces 
plainly showing this, being 
made at the dictates of a 
need but informed with the 
sense of refinement and 
beauty which these early 
forefathers had, however 
primitive their living. This 
was clearly shown in the ex¬ 
amples exhibited at the Hud¬ 
son Memorial, in the Adetro- 
politan Museum. At Hing- 
ham is one of the 
industries” 
land, one of 
‘white 
itself in an industry proper, 
or else individual craftsmen 
produce, either alone or in 
groups, and unite in a society 
with an exhibition and sales¬ 
room. Every large city now 
has one of these and very 
many small cities or towns. 
As to industries: a very 
successful effort toward this 
end was that of the Abnake 
Rug by Mrs. Albee. The 
designs, made by herself, 
being 
“village 
of New Eng- 
its products 
embroidery,” 
Another fireplace created by its" owners—the metal hood and enclos¬ 
ing bands, the stenciled overmantel decoration and plates, all 
being of home design and workmanship 
when a plant would 
Contrasting with the above is the simple work shown 
in this kitchen, where even the tablecloth is handmade 
the designs for 
which are adapta¬ 
tions from old 
Colonial pieces. 
The American 
development of 
the arts and crafts 
movement is en¬ 
tirely native here 
and has its own 
forms of activity. 
Mostly, this ac¬ 
tivity expresses 
enlarge 
Excellent silverware is made by a Balti¬ 
more studio, this porringer being an ex¬ 
ample of the sturdy, artistic workmanship 
were derived from Indian 
motifs, hence the name; 
and the work was carried 
out by native women of 
New Hampshire, under her 
direction. The enterprise was 
originally undertaken in the 
missionary spirit, as providing 
work of interest for these 
women, but the rugs were so 
well received that the orders 
soon outran the means of 
making. They “go” with the 
simpler styles of furniture 
better than any rugs to be had 
in the market; not as the 
oriental, subtle and luxurious, 
but simple in plan and har¬ 
monious in color. Otherwise 
there is little to choose 
amongst machine productions 
and imitations. The “rag rug” 
came in by means of the hand¬ 
craft movement, proving so 
acceptable that it was soon 
adopted by commerce. 
Pottery is one of the ear¬ 
liest crafts to be brought to 
a state of convenience and 
beauty among us, and art 
potteries have now a well- 
established place. The dan¬ 
ger to art has been that 
it generally became commercial in 
just that degree. The beautiful Grueby ware is no longer made, 
unable to cope with conditions. Rockwood endured by partly 
yielding, in order to bring in innovations. The Newcomb College 
has attempted to bridge over the steps between class and trade 
work by a postgraduate course, using always and only native 
Southern motifs. The Adarblehead Pottery makes distinctive 
ware, which it maintains so by keeping the plant small and so 
under artistic control. Beautiful tableware that takes its 
place in the history of such ware has come from Dedham, 
Alass. Tiles have developed beauty and a great variety of 
mosaics to large decorations, and among these 
(Continued on page 49 ) 
uses 
from 
