Page:Guide to the Bohemian section and to the Kingdom of Bohemia - 1906.djvu/128

102 A few years ago the society „ZÁDRUHA“ was founded at Prague to encourage home industries by arranging a regular sale of these home made-articles, and so keeping alive the instinctive inventive power of the people and encouraging them in their labours. The society does a great amount of good work in giving the people the necessary instruction how to make the articles suitable for the requirements of the inhabitants of the towns. The society’s efforts have resulted in the largely increased patronage of the village workers. The thoughtful visitor will not fail to compare in the exhibition the new products with the old ones shown in the room of the city of Prague and he will readily recognise the points of resemblance between productions of the past and the present day.

Many things that had a high artistic value and the great charm of antiquity, cannot, alas! be again revived, nevertheless, the examples found in national and municipal collections ought not to be consigned to museums and as it were buried. We are convinced of their worth and all who are interested ought to study their technical peculiarities, the designs and style of ornamentation, and endeavour to extract from the consideration of ancient art an inspiration for new artistic creations.

In some industrial schools, great pains are taken to revive the old characteristic needle-work and to profit from the study of national originals and to show good effects in the modern work due to conscientious study of the national designs. Although these productions may be devoid of the charm of naiveté which comes from the inspiration of the moment, they nevertheless have their peculiar individuality and charm as they are full of peculiar taste and correct expression of the character of the original examples. Embroideries of this kind are to be found in the display of the

where needlework is taught in a special class.

In the style of old glass used by the peasants is painted the glass exhibited by Miss Zdenka Braunnerova. This