The Quest of the Quaint (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1916. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXI Old Chimney Ornaments Under the head of "mantel" and "chimney" ornaments were classed in colonial days many rare and beautiful pieces of china. Delft flower holders, East India vases, and porcelain statuettes were included in this category. "Cottage" ornaments were of a humbler class and comprised statuettes of crude workmanship, houses, toby jugs and animals. A few collectors in this country have specialized in "cottage" things with interesting and surprising results. Staffordshire houses are ardently sought by one collector, and her specimens number dozens. The growing interest in porcelain and bisque figures as ornaments for the table has brought the old statuettes of Chelsea, Derby, Bow, and Staffordshire once more into public notice. Connoisseurs have always loved these bits of potter's clay decked out in elaborate costumes of a picturesque age, but a widespread interest is comparatively recent. Whether the present fancy of decking the table with old and new china figures will continue remains for Dame Fashion to say, not a writer on old china. The scheme is not more incongruous than certain effects in lace, ribbons, and artificial flowers which enjoyed a brief popularity a little while ago. And if the figures are really of interest they might be an aid to conversation, or help out in the table chat between courses. The woman who brought back souvenir coffee spoons from many corners of Europe so as to give her guests something to talk about, might not have been very original, but she was probably a successful hostess. And in these days when comments are not only forgiven but expected, whether of rooms, tables, or gowns, the gay china figures serve the purpose well and are certainly more worthy of appreciative exclamations than many of the...