94 
RERAMIC STUDIO 
of the wood is dependent, too, on the use. If it is to go 
against glass, a quarter of an inch would not be too thin 
for a small piece. In a doorway the pierced part should be 
at least a half, or three quarters, of an inch, and set in a 
frame from an inch to an inch and a half thick. Or the 
part which is to be pierced may be lowered a quarter of an 
inch on each side of a solid board, which does not mean 
much, if any more work, than framing. It can be roughed 
out with the broadest and deepest gouge and finished with 
the broadest fiat one. 
A-^ 
The spaces can be sawed out with a fretsaw, which is 
probably the easiest and quickest way, or the design can be 
traced on both sides, being extremely careful that it is 
accurately placed, outlined with the V tool and proceeding 
as in taking out the background, working first from one side 
and then the other until through. Or it can be done from 
one side, but more care is necessary to keep from chipping 
and splintering the under edges in forcing the tools clear 
through. 
If the grihe is for a doorway it must be finished ahke 
on both sides. The treatment of the edges depends of course 
on the design. The horse chestnut grille in the May num- 
ber (which, by the way, was printed upside down by mis- 
take), is left as cut, straight through. The effect intended 
is of branches in silhouette. Any large leaved tree, or vine, 
with nuts, or fruit, or gourds, or flowers will offer sugges- 
tions. The pierced portions on the little cupboard door 
(illus. 6), the seeds and stems are also left as cut, straight 
through. The leaves are simply outlined and the veins 
may be a single saw cut. Ihus. 7 is from a Japanese grille, 
or Ramma. The edges in this are slightly rounded and the 
surface ornamentated with a line. The original was painted 
in several colors, but so softened and silvered by time that 
the effect was exquisite. The Japanese use pierced carv- 
ing a great deal in Rammas, screens and lanterns. 
BREAD-BOARD 
A design like the hly fret work which might be used also 
as a soHd panel, or any intended to go flat against glass, looks 
best when beveled on the edges. 
Clear (that is without knots), close grained, white pine 
is best for pierced work, as a rule, as it cuts easily and 
smoothly, and though soft it is not used in positions where 
it is likely to be injured. It takes any kind of paint or 
stain readily, and, of course, should be finished like the 
surrounding woodwork. 
MISS EDE MERGARD 
ART METAL, PRATT INSTITUTE, BROOKLYN 
