Identifier: examplesofhouseh00smit (find matches)
Title: Examples of household taste
Year: 1875 (1870s)
Authors: Smith, Walter, 1836-1886 Smith, Walter, 1836-1886. Industrial art of the International Exhibition
Subjects: Centennial Exhibition (1876 : Philadelphia, Pa.) Decorative arts
Publisher: New York, R. Worthington
Contributing Library: Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute Library

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o the nation #which they represent. If the design is carefully studied it will tell its own story—the story ofthe rise and progress of our republic upon a soil rich in natural resources,triumphing over barbarism and civilized enemies from without, strong in its ownintegrity and uprightness, until on its hundredth birthday, commanding therespect and admiration of the world, it bids all nations come and see for them-selves its progress, offering a hearty welcome to all alike. That the readermay the more thoroughly understand the motif of this fine work, we shall givea detailed description of its parts. The piece is five feet four inches long, and four feet two inches high.With the exception of the slab of polished granite on which the plinth rests,every part is sterling silver. The designs are by George Wilkinson andThomas J. Fairpoint. Beginning with the base from which the whole fabric ofthe republic was reared, we have the native red man and the pioneer of civil- INDUSTRIAL ART. 55
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Cabinet—Ebony, Ivory and Mother-of-Pearl: G. Parvis. ization representing- the first phase of our existence. Native fruit, flowers andcereals, happily combined in groups, typifying the fruitfulness of the soil, orna- 56 THE INTERNATIONAL EXIIIB TTION, 1876. ment the ends. One of these groups is shown on an enlarged scale in anotherengraving on page 53. A foliated scroll-work of graceful design connects theseveral groups. Above and encircling the solid granite slab are the thirty-eight stars of the republic, bound together and resting upon as sure a founda-tion as the rock itself. On either side of the plinth are groups—one, theGenius of War, holding her dogs in the leash, her whole attitude expressiveof her fierce purpose and her surroundings—the shattered tree and the brokencannon-wheel;—indicative of the desolation of her course. On the other sidewe have the contrast—the lion led by little children, and emblems suggestiveof peace and security scattered around. Between thes

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