hekamic studio 
31 
MRS. WALTER BERTLING 
EXHIBIT OF THE BUFFALO SOCIETY OF MINERAL 
PAINTERS 
THE 1912 Exhibition of the Buffalo Society of Mineral 
Painters, as anticipated, eclipsed all that have gone 
before, in excellence of design and execution. 
In the two years that have elapsed since the last exhibition, 
the members have plainly studied the best in design, to the ad- 
vantage both of themselves and the public, that sadly needs 
education in what is best in ceramic art. 
The day of dropsical cupids disporting in gravy; of his- 
toric heads, or full blown roses, covered with mayonaise, is, 
thank goodness, a thing of the past. 
To an old stager on the ceramic carpet, dating back to 
1877 (the first year I "decorated china"), the great advance 
shown is most pleasing and gratifying. The wide circulation 
of that "prophet in the wilderness," oiir beloved Keramic 
Studio, has had a decided effect in leading the earnest student 
in the right direction. 
The improvement in manner of showing the different 
exhibits was manifest as soon as one entered the Banquet 
Hall of the Hotel Iroquois. Small tables, all with white lace 
or embroidered covers, held each an individual exhibit; thus 
style and individuality had fair show. 
Visitors from the central and southern part of our State, 
from Pennsylvania, and Canada, spoke of the interest awakened 
by the announcement in the Studio. Pity 'tis that more did 
not avail themselves of the educational advantage accruing 
from such an exhibition. To remain at home because "busy" 
is a penny wise and pound foohsh policy. No one within one 
hundred miles of such a ceramic exhibit can afford to miss it. 
While held at the wrong season of the year for numerous 
sales, yet the total result was gratifying, and so much interest 
was aroused that the Mineral Painters were invited to show a 
selection of their different exhibits in the beautiful home of [the 
Twentieth Century Club (the very last word in woman's 
clubdom), on April 10th, and a reception was given to the 
Painters and their friends that evening. 
The president of the Society, Miss Nellie Jackson, used 
Japanese motifs for several designs, with telling effect. 
An oval tray, depicting "cherry-blossom time," had a mat 
dark blue border overlaid with gold outlines of the blossoms, 
surrounding a merry group of Japanese in their Rickshaws, 
pink blossom laden trees in the background. A small rose 
bowl with same blue mat backgi'ound was entirely covered 
with the blossoms in white enamel cleverly built up in shading. 
A cylinder vase had an ivory ground, with fleur de lis in differ- 
ent colored golds. 
A small but most perfect exhibit was that of Miss Frances 
Williams. A rose bowl showed gorgeous butterflies against 
a peacock lustre background. A cylinder vase had silver 
fleur de lis and leaves, against soft grey ground, salmon pink 
at top. A tall slender vase had a very Japanesque bird of 
paradise and flowers, in lustres shaded with color; a very clever 
mingling of both against a gold ground somewhat subdued by 
washes of lustre; top clear gold. It was hard to realize that a 
medallion, mounted as a pendant, was not a product of the 
jeweler's art, so perfectly done were its raised lines, jewels and 
flown enamels in true Moorish coloring. 
Mrs. G. L. Moore had a stunning tall Belleek comport, in 
peacock lustre ground, with design of grapes and leaves in flat 
gold; a tea set and dresser set in shades of dark blue. 
Mrs. Walter Bertling showed all original designs, a tea 
set of yellow brown and gold ; plates all in soft tints of cream, 
gold, and brown; one very effective in gi'eens and blues. Both 
designs and execution excellent. 
Mrs. Alison Weber had the courage of her convictions and 
showed only naturalistic designs, well drawn, and beautifully 
colored. 
Mrs. G. W. Buckland showed a portable lamp in wi-ought 
iron with shade holding landscape panels of opal glass and a 
transom light, three panels of same glass, also done in land- 
