File:The Decorator's assistant (1847) (14766211405).jpg

Identifier: decoratorsassist01lond (find matches)
Title: The Decorator's assistant
Year: 1847 (1840s)
Authors:
Subjects: Design Decoration and ornament Art
Publisher: (London : W. Gibbs)
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

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Text Appearing Before Image:
s, like the natural roof of a beautfiulgrotto, exceeds any other specimen of thekind. F. E. Real and Spurious Gilding.—It is some-times difficult to employ the usual test forgold, especially for distinguishing betweenreal and spurious gold leaf, gilt paper, &c. M.AltmiiUer recommends the application of mer-cury, which rubbed in on true gilding imme-diately produces a white spot, while it has noaction on spurious gold (consisting of alloys ofcopper). On the other hand, an acid solutionof mercury in nitric acid leaves untouchedreal gold, and produces a white spot on thespurious. The thinnest layers of gold, whichit is frequently impossible to detect by meansof aqua regia, are immediately recognised bythis test. The coating of varnish must beremoved previous to its application. Iron-Fronted Edifices.-*-A block of threestoried buildings is in course of erection atCincinnati, the entire fronts of which are to beof cast-iron. THE DECORATOR S ASSISTANT. ©n tf)e aipplication of (Bxmmmt
Text Appearing After Image:
o know where tobegin is, nodoubt, a valuableacquisition to thedesigner, but wethink that, al-though, placedsecondary, toknow where toleave off shouldform one of hisearliest and mostdiligent studies.The object of or-nament is notmerely to forma maze throughwhich the eyewanders withoutbeing able to findan outlet, but to create a purely simple style ofdecoration, which by being as much divestedof cumbrousness as it is devoid of superfi-ciality, shall appear at once light, elegant, andcomplete. To effect this, correctness of proportion mustbe the primary object to be regarded, as it isthe only means of imparting the first elementsof beauty to a work. We may often perceivein even the best productions a certain want ofuniformity, arising purely from an ill-consi-deration of this subject, and as it is impossibleto be atoned for, except to the vulgar gaze, byeven the most elaborate colouring, or thegreatest profusion of ornament, it must forever remain a blotch upon what would, per-haps, had

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