8 4 
KERAMIC STUDIO 
NOTES ON THE RECENT EXHIBITION OF MINERAL 
LEAGUE 
Mary Chase Perry 
OW that a little time has elapsed since the exhi- 
bition of the National League, one can view it 
as a whole more easily than when all the 
details of the various exhibits were fresh in 
the mind. Taken altogether, it is a good 
thing to look back upon. The general influences both of the 
exhibition and the meetings connected with it, can scarcely 
help being a stimulus and guide in focusing one's plans and 
ideas for his work during the coming year. The immense 
quantity of work submitted proved the wide-spread interest 
taken by the members of the League in making the display a 
success. It also gave the final jury a most excellent opportun- 
ity to pass judgment upon it, and they weeded it out most 
generously. But such a hearty response — and even then, not 
all of the clubs contributed — proclaims that there are those 
who desire a chance to tell their own stories. At least there 
were a gratifying number who had stories of their own to tell. 
Perhaps some of those who thought they were doing so did 
not know differently until they came to the exhibition. It 
may be that this was the reason why some of them failed to 
find the pieces which they had sent. Of course, beside excel- 
lence of execution, the "weeders" had to have other standards 
in order to reduce the amount sent, so that it could be well 
placed in the space allotted — which was not a small one. At 
all events, nothing could have had a more salutary effect upon 
the general appearance of the display, as there were few pieces 
left which could not bear inspection. Even if there was a 
little heart-burning at first, it will point out the way and make 
each earnest worker try to "find himself." 
Aside from personal individuality, there was a certain club 
individuality, which was good to see, although it was a little 
difficult to classify, as the club exhibits were not all arranged 
together. Yet each collection showed its own characteristics, 
pleasantly. This could be accented even more if each organ- 
ization would seek out its special strength and foster it, so 
that it could have a pride of its own. 
One of the strongest features noted, was the growing love 
for detail. There have never been as many small pieces shown 
before with so much fine and painstaking execution. It 
bodes well, too, as it shows a greater understanding of the 
requirements of good china decoration and is proof of a 
constant and untiring application to its demands.- The 
technicalities of paste and enamels were never handled with 
greater perfection nor displayed with better taste. 
Another thing that is an index of the best kind of 
growth was the entire absence of mercenary spirit. The 
exhibition was not intended as an opportunity to promote 
sales, unless they should come up incidentally as they did in 
some cases, and so the commercial atmosphere was mercifully 
lacking. This is surely cause for praise. It shows that there 
is some chance even for the decorator, who has too often 
counted the cost before expending his best energies, like the 
small boy who was found with his hand fast in an expensive 
vase. In some way he had gotten it through the narrow neck- 
but he was unable to withdraw it. The whole family were 
greatly concerned and tried in vain to extricate the imprisoned 
hand. At last when they had tried every conceivable means 
the father said, "Now, Tommy, we will have to break the 
vase, unless your hand comes out, so you just let all your 
fingers go and allow them to be perfectly limp and straight." 
Tommy immediately replied with despair in his financial soul, 
"But I don't want to let go of the cent." So perhaps this 
little parable may have a lesson if there are any who still care 
more for the cent than the vase. 
The comments generally, were of a pleasing nature. To 
be sure there were some startling things shown and these were 
eyed askance at first and elicited remarks which were cheer- 
ful—or otherwise. But after a time, even before the close of 
the exhibition, they were receiving serious consideration. 
Next time they will be looked for. It is all an accretion of 
time and shows a new growth. Because everybody likes 
everything is no sign of a good showing; on the contrary it is 
perfectly paralyzing to further incentive. But it speaks well 
for the strength of the League and argues a stronger future 
for it, that there are those who have the moral courage to 
take the first step alone. This is the only way to find oneself, 
and in so doing, there is no going backward. As a whole, the 
exhibition was extremely satisfying and there has never been 
one where there was so much finish shown — and "finish" of 
the right kind— there was much more of a professional air 
about it. So perhaps after all a vote of thanks ought to be 
given to the "weeders." 
•P f 
PHASES OF THE SEVENTH COMPARATIVE ANNUAL 
EXHIBITION 
Mrs. Worth Qsgovd 
THE difficulties of installing a collective exhibition of deco- 
rated china coming from widely separated sections of 
the United States, can only be appreciated by those who 
have experienced the various phases of receiving, placing and 
caring for these fragile objects. 
A firm which confines itself to a display of its own wares, 
can by the aid of diagrams, map out its entire exhibit in 
advance, so that when the date of installation arrives, the 
parts are easily and regularly adjusted. 
Should not our League too be able to make definite 
application for amount of space, case requirements and all 
exhibition accessories? 
This accomplished, we should then come at once to the 
artistic treatment of the display. To arrange objects totally 
different in shape, coloring and order of decoration, so as to 
present a harmonious whole, requires all the time allowed for 
the installation of an exhibition. 
Complete descriptive lists, sent some weeks in advance, 
would determine these preliminaries. We know well the dif- 
ficulties in the way of complying with this requirement, and 
that the fire stands between the dates of application and 
exhibition; yet as our aim is to help, not hinder every League 
enterprise,- let us take this matter into serious consideration 
and begin at once a systematic, intelligent preparation for the 
next demand for descriptive lists. 
From at least one person's point of view, the advantages 
of cases over display tables cannot be too strongly emphasized. 
Besides imparting to the porcelains a value and dignity not 
attainable upon tables, the boundary lines of the case so 
confine and individualize the work, as to enable one to com- 
pare quickly the standard of one club with that of another. 
A simple placard bearing the name of exhibiting club might 
add to the interest of each case. 
Both interesting and instructive are the lessons learned 
from comparative study of these examples of decorated china. 
As we lovingly and carefully note the variations of taste. 
