Vol. IV, No. 10 
NEW YORK AND SYRACUSE 
February J 903 
PROPOS of the spirit of unrest among Ker- 
amic workers, which we have considered 
one of the hopeful signs of the times ) 
some have doubted its being a good thing 
and objected that it is an uncomfortable 
feeling and interferes with the business 
part of Keramic work. Truly there is a 
kind of mental laziness which keeps even 
the best workers in a rut until some invigorating spring rain 
washes them out and lands them high and dry (finally) in 
pleasant pastures. The process of being disturbed is dismay, 
ing and not much moss can be gathered in the rolling about, 
but when the final resting place is reached, the wonder is how 
an even so comfortable and highly finished rut could have 
been endured so long with so little comparative profit. 
The eleventh annual exhibition of the N. Y. S. K. A. 
was well worthy of any sincere working organization. That 
strong decorative work is possible to the mineral painter was 
demonstrated by an excellent purpose in design, a fine sense 
of color and some capable drawing. 
A notable feature of much of the work shown was that, 
whereas the Japanese influence could be seen to a large de- 
gree, it was not at the sacrifice of individuality and there was 
an absence of direct imitation. 
It might be well again to give a cry of warning against 
any attempt to decorate various modelled forms with designs 
suitable only for easel productions. Picture painting in its 
literal sense has no place in the field of Keramic decoration. 
An exceedingly interesting exhibition. There is a 
marked improvement in design and the average is good. 
Arthur Dow. 
That the exhibition compares favorably with those in 
other branches of the arts, as far as the standard assumed is 
concerned, goes without saying. Anyone fortunate enough 
to spend an hour there was fully repaid by the realization 
that a strong note has been struck and is being sustained. 
Keramic work in America promises much. 
George Alfred Williams. 
An agent of the Royal Berlin factory remarked that the 
work looked professional and that he had no idea we had 
such finished decorators in this country. 
*> 
Mr. John LaFarge, of New York, addressed society and 
members of the Art Club in Providence, R. I., in December. 
Mr. LaFarge had planned to talk of something doctrinal, but 
a few days before he received proof sheets written in English 
by the director of the Japanese Imperial School of Tokio. 
Upon reading them he said he ■' had such a feeling of relief, 
of playfulness, a getting away from formula, that he felt that 
Japanese art must be his theme. He illustrated his sketches 
of the life of Japanese philosophers and artists by views 
manipulated by his Japanese valet. 
DESIGN COMPETITION 
THE Editors of KERAMIC STUDIO desire to announce a 
change in the annual competition for the anniversary 
May number. 
The prizes will be awarded as follows: 
For the best original naturalistic study of fish and sea- 
weed, birds or wild flowers, executed in color, preferably on 
china panel, or in water color — study to be about 9x12 — $25.00. 
For the best conventionalized study of one of the above 
subjects, executed in flat color on china or in water color, 
accompanied by pen and ink or wash drawing of separate 
parts — $25.00. 
For the best conventional design in black and white, made 
from one of the above subjects, accompanied by color scheme 
and adapted to four forms, plate, cup and saucer, tall piece 
and low dish— $25.00. 
For second best conventional design as above — $15.00. 
For third best conventional design as above — $10.00. 
For conventional designs use two to five colors. 
The designs must be received on or before March 15th. 
The naturalistic studies must be received on or before 
April 1st. 
Other designs submitted will be considered for purchase. 
* 
EXHIBITIONS AND SALES 
THE sale of the art and literary property collected by the 
late Henry G. Marquand took place in New York on the 
afternoons and evenings of the week beginning January 23, 
1903. The collection included paintings in oil and water 
colors, antique and Chinese porcelains and pottery, lacquer, 
bronzes and cabinet objects, European keramics and antique 
silver mezzotints and etchings, antique glass, Persian, Damas- 
can and Rhodian art objects, fine art and other books, Limoge 
and other enamels, intaglios and other gems, snuff boxes, 
watches, antique tiles, Hispano, Moresque and other placques, 
the Delia Robbia terra cottas, antique Roman mosaics, mar- 
ble statuary, antique and modern rugs and tapestries, antique 
embroideries and textures, antique and modern furniture, etc., 
the famous piano designed and decorated by Alma-Tadema, 
and which is said to have cost Mr. Marquand $50,000. 
The above detailed notice of the art and literary objects 
in the collection gives a faint idea of the importance of this 
sale, which in some ways is the most comprehensive and 
distinguished that has ever taken place in New York. 
Mr. B. Kobayashi, of Tokio, gave during December, at 
the rooms of the Architectural League, a private view of 
his collection of rare old Japanese prints and books. The 
collection, which was especially interesting, represented the 
principal Ukioye artists from Moronobii to Hiroshige. 
9 
The little association of men and women calling itself the 
American Society of Miniature Painters is proving that it was 
