DLA096-0009  Transcription

Westminster Gazette, 25 March 1925

Amateur Art Exhibition

By the Hon. Mrs. Ben Bathurst

All lovers of beautiful things should avail themselves of the opportunity offered by the Royal Amateur Art Society's Exhibition, which is held this year at 12, Belgrave-square, and remains open till 6 o’clock this evening.

There is something to interest everyone; the needlework especially is beautiful. Two worked pictures by Mrs. Baird stand by themselves; they are landscapes. One is a Scotch moor in a snowstorm that at a distance anyone would think it was painted in oils, and beautifully painted, too. Mrs. Baird’s needle is indeed her paintbrush. One picture has been sold for £500, and £1,000 is the price asked for the other. There are also some wonderful examples of Pétit Point, especially a copy of a Turner landscape worked by Lady Danesfort, which has won first prize. Lady Violet Crawley has sent two chairs worked in Petit Point from an old design, which are worthy copies of this ancient craft.

Made of Shells

The pictures, which were judged by Mr. de Laszlo, who was much pleased with their excellence, are all shown in the ballroom, where are also some charming shell flowers made by Lady Susan Birch, and some exquisitely delicate and artistic shell trees by Mr. Watson Taylor. These are far removed from the shell flowers as we have learned to know them, and are quite distinct in their delicate beauty.

In the handicraft section the lacquer work stands out; and the Mah-Jong Cabinet made by Lady Bathurst, in a beautiful shade of blue, is well worthy of the prize it has won.

However much we admire the work of living craftsmen, the old will always draw us, and to Dame Alice Goodman we owe a debt of gratitude for the wonderful Loan Collection she has assembled, and arranged, in one of the ground floor rooms. She has collected especially relics of the Stuart period, and there are some priceless artifacts shown. The Duchess of Norfolk has lent a gold rosary which belonged to Mary Queen of Scots; also a pearl necklace of hers set in gold.

The Martyr King.

One of the most charming relics of Charles I I have ever seen is a tiny miniature of the king; it is about the size of a sixpence and was a memorial of Stewart adherence after his execution. This is lent by Lord Sligo.

There is also a Stewart mirror, with folding doors, treated in stump work. It is a rare example of this form of needlework, of which there are not many specimens left now.

A Bible embroidered about 1660 in a foliated design in silver-gilt purl, has two portraits, one on the front and one on the back. These are of Charles I and Catherine of Braganza. There is also a wonderful dressing-case in tortoiseshell, inlaid mother-of-pearl, which was used by Lord Macartney, first Ambassador to China. This is lent by Mr. Wyndham Clark. The Duchess of St. Albans has lent a fire-screen actually worked by Mary Queen of Scots herself.

The loan collection also contains beautiful silver tankards, buckles, mirrors, and etui cases. The whole gives an opportunity to those interested in old things to see specimens that are, at other times, only shown privately.

MD

04/12/2007