Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/1126

 1 102 COTTAGE, FARM, AND VILLA ARCHITECTURE. in mind, not merely the great cost of* such carving relatively to the effect produced, but also that this kind of ornament is more apt to harbour dust, and that it is more difficult to clean, than any other. This also is an argument against the Extensive use of the highly enriched Gothic style. In an age like the present when all, from the highest to the lovi^est, are beginning to recognise their equal natural right of enjoyment, it will soon become a part of the business of Architects and upholsterers to design and prepare articles of furniture, both for use and luxury, in such a style, as will reduce the labour of servants, in keeping them in order, to a minimum. Fig. 12036 exhibits six Designs 2036 for balusters, selected, by Blr. Varden, from old specimens, which at once afford hints for bed-posts, staircase railings, liacks to settles and to chairs, and open screens. It is almost needless to add that all these forms might be enriched by carving; or that they are in any thing but good taste when considered with reference to abstract principles. 2173. Interiors in the Elizabethan Style. Fig. 2037 is a general view of a dining- room ; and fig. 2038 that of a drawingroom : both are by Mr. Lamb. 2174. Remarks. Much more might have been said on the subject of Elizabethan furniture, and it would have been easy to give numerous designs : it must, however, be re- collected that our object, in this work, is, not to display antiquarian lore, or articles which would require enormous expense to execute, but simply to give an idea of the style of composition known as Elizabethan, and to show how it may be applied to articles in modern use. No one ought to attempt it who is not a master of composition on abstract prin- ciples ; but, indeed (in London, at least), the attempt is scarcely necessary ; since there are abundant remains of every kind of Elizabethan furniture to be purchased of col- lectors. These, when in fragments, are put together, and made up into every article of furniture now in use ; and, as London has a direct and cheap communication with every part of the world by sea, the American citizen or the Australian merchant, who wishes to indulge in this taste, may do it with tlie greatest ease, and may purchase real antiques at much less expense than he could have the articles carved by modern artists. To those who wish to study the furniture and furnishing of the times of Elizabeth and James, we recommend Mr. Hunt's very excellent and entertaining work on Tudor Architecture and Furniture : and " the antiquary, who desires a perfect idea of any article of furniture mentioned by Froissart, Chaucer, or Shakspeare ; the Architect, who wishes for standard authorities for the restoration or imitation of ancient buildings ; the painter, who is anxious to produce a historical picture which shall challenge the most fastidious cri- ticism ; or the histrionic manager, who is ambitious, in scenery, to rival John Kemble's correctness in costume, "we refer to Shaw's Designs for Ancient Furniture.