Vol. I, No. 5 
NEW YORK AND SYRACUSE 
September 1899 
HAT the study of keramics is fast becoming 
essential in our art schools, there can be no 
question, and it shows an increasing' demand 
for technical knowledge of this branch of 
art. Who is it that says "China painting is 
a fad that is passing"? It was never so 
popular in this country as it is to-day, but not popular in the 
sense that it was a few years ago, when every one dabbled into 
it, with no training and obtaining unsatisfactory results,— and 
then tired of it. Tod-ay there are thousands of earnest, serious 
students, who are striving for better results and a higher stand- 
ard. What was tolerated ten years ago, would not be accepted 
now. There are hundreds of men and women in this country, 
who are not only supporting themselves and families by teach- 
ing this beautiful art, but earning a living by filling orders, by 
firing and by designing. The love of keramics grows upon 
one with study, and even if one never pursues it with the idea 
of making it a profession, it so helps one to appreciate the 
beauty and value of rare porcelains, in private collections and 
museums, as well as in ordinary use, that great interest is shown 
now, when only a dumb ignorance was formerly manifested 
upon all occasions of exhibitions. Even the shopkeepers tell 
us that the people are better educated in keramics, that the 
finer wares are better appreciated, and that there is more of a 
demand for that which shows artistic merit. If cheaper wares 
are preferred, there is more of a demand for the simple, unob- 
trusive designs, rather than that which is gaudily decoiated 
with cheap gold and stamped flowers. All this shows improve- 
ment in the taste of the people, which has been brought about 
by study and by frequent exhibitions and a gradual demand 
for better things. Even the cheapest factory work shows an 
improvement in design and taste. All this proves what the 
demand has been, and now is. 
Bearing directly upon this subject, we would like to quote 
a few paragraphs from a letter written to us: 
"As I know how anxious you are for items of interest for 
the KERAMIC STUDIO, I send you one that perhaps you 
would like : 
Miss Etta O. Jones, who for a number of years has been 
one of the most successful teachers in St. Louis, has recently 
been appointed teacher of mineral painting in the St. Louis 
School of Fine Arts. This is of especial interest to all 
workers, in that it shows the steady growth of the art, when 
in a school of the character of this one, it has become nec- 
essary to establish a department for instruction in this branch 
of art, from the sheer force of the demand made for it. The 
Cincinnati School of Art was, I believe, the first one to have 
a department of this nature, and there are no art schools in 
the country that have a better standing than these two. 
Miss Jones has studied with artists of New York at various 
times, so that I feel especially qualified to speak of her 
ability, which so well fits her for this position. Aside from 
being a most enthusiastic and progressive worker, she has a 
thorough technical knowledge of all branches of the work, 
and her pieces always show artistic excellence. Prof. Loes, 
the President of the School, is a man well known as a 
stickler for legitimate art, and it is of importance that he so 
favors the opening of this department in the School and is 
making a great effort to have it complete in every way. 
It is not so much as a personal item that I am sending 
this, but as I said before, to show the progress of keramics in 
our art schools, besides the recognition of keramic artists, 
which is a point dear to all of us, I fancy." 
4= 
We are delighted to receive letters like these that show 
progress in the study of this art. It encourages others to 
work seriously and thoroughly, and the KERAMIC STUDIO 
congratulates the St. Louis Art School for introducing this 
department, and also extends its best wishes to Miss Jones in 
entering upon her new duties and responsibilities. 
4° 
The colored study of chrysanthemums by Mr. F. B. 
Aulich, in this number, will be particularly helpful in classes. 
Chrysanthemums are the most decorative of flowers, the stems 
being long and adaptable, the outgrowth of leaves being grace- 
ful and irregular, and the flowers themselves being full of 
beautiful curves. The flower lends itself to any shape of 
china for decoration, and it can be easily conventionalized. 
This present study may be adapted to a low vase where the 
flowers are to be massed, as the stems are not visible. If the 
flower is to be used in a natural growth, select something tall 
and let the stems come up from the bottom and slightly 
twine about the vase (or whatever is used). The Japanese 
understand thoroughly the handling of this flower for decora- 
tive purposes, and adapt it most admirably. Mr. Aulich's 
placque decorated in chrysanthemums, which he exhibited in 
New York, will always be remembered as one of the most 
artistic things we have seen. He understands the flowers 
well, and knows the advantage of all its exquisite curves as 
well as its varied and marvelous colors. We advise our sub- 
scribers to study the flower well, when it appears this autumn, 
and to make sketches and studies of it in all its graceful posi. 
tions and vagaries. 
Edwin Atlee Barber, A. M., Ph. D., has written a book on 
"Anglo-American Pottery," which is of more than usual inter- 
est for several reasons. The book contains nearly a hundred 
fine half-tone reproductions of old plates and pitchers bearing 
American designs, produced by English potters during the 
early part of the century. There are sketches, also, of the 
leading English potters, and altogether the volume is a rare 
collection of information on a very interesting subject. Con- 
siderable light is thrown upon some matters that have hereto- 
fore remained in dispute, and facts connected with the earlier 
production of specially designed pottery are revealed with 
clearness and accuracy. — China, Glass and Pottery Review* 
