KERAMIC STUDIO 
m 
MAUD U. MASON - 
218 East 59th Street, New York City 
Page Editor 
TEA SET 
THE little tea set is planned with a black background 
upon which is set the brilliant colored enamel decora- 
tion. The same decoration and color scheme could be carried 
out on a white background also, giving a good effect and entail- 
ing much less work. 
After first tracing the design, and carefully spacing the 
bands, paint in the background, using a square shader for the 
purpose, brushing it on very evenly. When dry it may be 
strengthened by rubbing the powder color into it. Then 
clean and lay the enamels, filling the spaces well up to the black 
edges. 
In this particular pot the shoulder is almost flat, making 
it difficult to indicate the spacing of the bands or lines at top 
and bottom. The waving band of white, between the grey 
lines would admit of being two or three times as wide as the 
grey lines, and would look better for being so spaced. In the 
ornament the bird is blue with a yellow wing, in which are 
blue spots. This blue is Lavender Blue Relief Enamel. Stem 
and leaves are Emerald Green. Yellow wing and centres of 
flowers are Imperial Yellow. Flowers, Light Carmine. The 
grey bands are Lavender Blue and the wider white band may 
be green, yellow or light carmine as desired. These Mason 
enamels may be retouched and fired as often as necessary, 
by applying them in thin even tones over all the design, keep- 
ing the surfaces even and the edges neat and crisp. 
ON THE DECORATION OF TABLE WARE 
WE craftsmen and serious students of art recognizing the 
tendencies of modern art, and realizing the joy expressed 
in its freshness and gaiety of color and virility of expression are 
beginning to reflect its influence in the decoration of our por- 
celain, as in other handicrafts. This has lent a fresh impetus 
and given new life and enthusiasm in the making of beautiful 
table ware and other articles for useful and decorative pur- 
poses. 
We, at last, begin to be convinced that use and beauty 
are inseparable and to think of the articles used on tables in 
terms of sets or as a unified whole rather than as individual 
pieces, and to appreciate the beauty, charm and restfulness 
attained by the repetition of the same or similar ornament or 
decoration when carried throughout a complete set. An old 
teapot, a bowl, a plate or other article loose in value if placed 
among other pieces having different decorations, and fail to 
convince you thoroughly of their charm. Indeed it often cries 
to be separated from them. On the other hand, the same 
decorated article repeated a number of times in a group makes 
a distinct and harmonious impression. 
Restraint and simplicity in decoration is another and 
most desirable quality that we are learning to appreciate. 
We feel that ninety-nine per cent of our decorated wares are 
over-decorated, and in consequence lose in refinement, and 
make the same impression on our minds as an overdressed 
person. To return to our sets, let us endeavor to make our 
decoration of them consistent with their use and environment, 
the color scheme of the room and table linen being very impor- 
tant assets. The background of room should be as a frame to 
the picture, completing and setting forth to the best advantage 
the table and its accessories. 
There is no reason why one with the most limited purse 
need be denied the joy of several different sets of porcelains 
and may not indulge oneself in the pleasure of variety in 
table decoration. Let us forget the monotony of the huge set 
made to serve every purpose and consisting of nine hundred 
and ninety-nine pieces replaced from stock patterns! 
THE LITTLE GALLERY 
A T the Little Gallery are to be found some most interesting 
-*■*- soft glazed Italian bowls. They are very stunning, 
decorated either in enamels or lustres. They vary in size 
from 12 to 18 inches in diameter, and are of a soft greyish white 
glaze, having very much the quality of some of the most beauti- 
ful old Italian pieces. 
Special attention is paid to the arrangement of the porce- 
lains in these galleries, its surroundings suggesting their use. 
For instance, a mirror black coffee service is shown on a bright 
red lacquer tray, partly covered by a very lacy doily. The 
flower decoration, with this set, was brilliant red nasturtiums 
in a jar of the same black lustre, the ensemble giving a very 
charming effect. They are also showing a very delightful 
lustred glass. A very handsome lamp, 15 inches high, is 
shown by Mrs. Elizabeth Mason, and Mrs. Vanderhoff. The 
Full sized motifs. 
