KERAMC STUDIO 
HISTORICAL ORNAMENT— RUSSIAN 
USSIAN decorative art is a mixture of borrow- 
ings from the Celts and the Orientals, selec- 
tions being drawn always from those designs 
which appealed most strongly to the national 
taste and made individual and national by 
remodelling on lines which allowed of pro- 
fuse and gorgeous ornamentation. The striking characteristic 
of the Slavonic race is a love for magnificence, a feeling for 
color highly developed, and a certain characteristic eccentric- 
ity. amounting to originality in the development of the bor- 
rowed designs. 
The Russian and Celtic intertwined patterns show a close- 
affinity. It has been disputed as to whether their common 
origin was Celtic or Scandinavian. The balance of opinion, 
however, is in favor of the Celtic. The difference in nation- 
ality is shown by the elaborate and fantastic treatment of 
these designs in jewelling and gold. 
The Moor also used these interlaced ornaments; which 
shows that it is a development of ornament common to all 
barbaric nations. The other examples of ornament are decid- 
edly Oriental. 
Application The plate by Miss Vilas is a" simple 
to Modern adaptation of motives from Nos. i and 2 : 
t the cup and saucer by Mrs. Robineau, of 
CSI ^ n one of the interlaced designs, No. 3. These 
designs should be treated with raised gold and enamels, some 
inferior parts being left in flat color and gold. Almost every 
color is used, the turquoise blue predominating, combined with 
a dark rich purple blue and touches of ruby purple and lav- 
ender. For beginners a very fine effect can be obtained in flat 
colors and'gold. (For plate design see page 226.) 
