Our homes, and how to beautify them . time was chased with infinite delicacy, even when the spirit of itwas largely artificial; and the details were characterized by a whimsical artists in metal like Caffieri and Crouthiere devoted themselves to theelaborate ormolu mounts in fashion, and one has only to regret that in theirornament the dignity of restraint was not more appreciated. But the heaviermetal-work, such as the candelabra, the wall-branches for lights, and the fire-dogs,does not deserve dispraise ; it was worthily and beautifully designed. It is not alittle curious
Our homes, and how to beautify them . time was chased with infinite delicacy, even when the spirit of itwas largely artificial; and the details were characterized by a whimsical artists in metal like Caffieri and Crouthiere devoted themselves to theelaborate ormolu mounts in fashion, and one has only to regret that in theirornament the dignity of restraint was not more appreciated. But the heaviermetal-work, such as the candelabra, the wall-branches for lights, and the fire-dogs,does not deserve dispraise ; it was worthily and beautifully designed. It is not alittle curious that Louis Quinze, even in its most rococo moods, and in spite of 35 C 2 OUR HOMES, its surfeit of rocaille and bouquets, should have survived with a stronger vitaHtythan almost any other period of French art; and should still be a name for thefurniture salesman to conjure with. T LOUIS SEIZE. HE reign of Louis XYL witnessed the inevitable rebound from artisticdebasement. We seem to get away from the boudoir of the mistress to /S^T^. FIG. 14. CAniNET iStII CKjNIUKY. (tHK W^^ >N .) that of the matron. Ornament is again marked by discretion. The national tasterecovers a saner ([uality. Simplicity of line and a sparing use of enrichmentgradually su])ersede the meretricious effects of the previous reign. Detail istreated with great refinement, but decoration is still more or less under AND HOW TO BEAUTIFY THEM. the influence of , and torches, and otheramorous emblems figure repeat-edly in the ornament, variedoccasionally with trophies ofmusical instruments, the imple-ments of gardening, festoons offlowers, and (as a consequence ofthe discoveries at Herculaneum)tripods, masks, vases, and otherantique emblems. But everythingis governed by an artistic self-control. We pass from the over-laden grandeur of the (IreatTrianon to the chaster andmore refined beauty of the LittleTrianon. All is fine ; nothing issuperfine. No more exqui
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectinterio, bookyear1902
