[Newspaper]
Publication: The St. Albans Messenger
St. Albans, Vermont, United States
vol. 16, no. 804, p. 2, col. 5-6
A large number of valuable specimens of Flint Enamel Ware and wrought Marble are preparing for the World’s Fair in New York. The Herald says:
We had occasion, a few days since, to visit the celebrated FLINT ENAMEL WORKS at Bennington; and was conducted thro the immense establishment by its gentlemanly Superintendent, D. W. Clark, Esq. This concern may be considered a stupendous fair in itself,--exhibiting a taste and variety in its manufactures unequaled by any similar establishment in America.—The clay is here moulded by the hand of the potter in every conceivable shape,--burnt, colored and glazed in every hue, fastidious, grotesque and plain,--showing a happiness of design and dexterity of execution unsurpassed in the catalogue of art.
Messrs. Lyman & Fenton, the proprietors of this establishment, are gentlemen of taste and enterprise, and are possessed of sufficient shrewdness, withal, to appreciate the advantages of giving notoriety to their articles by exhibiting them at the forthcoming Exhibition. With this view they have in preparation a variety of new things, among which may be mentioned:
1. A Monument, ten and a half feet high, with a base in imitation of Egyptian marble, three and a half feet in diameter, supporting a columnar urn, or main shaft, of mottled ware. This main shaft is surmounted by a beautiful capital of unique model, supporting eight columns of exquisite symmetry and design, in imitation of Egyptian marble. These are surmounted by a statue representing a Sister of Charity, in splendid drapery, directing a child to Heaven by presenting him with the Bible in an admonished attitude.—This last figure is thirty-four inches high, displaying great taste in the model, true to life and withal is a chef d’auvre. It is of Parian clay which is nothing less than Parian marble in another shape, with the advantage that it is almost transparent, alternately relieved by lights and shadows which give it a most beautiful effect. No description can impress the mind with the feelings which a view of it occasions, and it must be seen to be properly appreciated.
The center of the first capital supporting the eight columns before mentioned, is calculated to receive a bust; and in this instance the bust of C. W. FENTON, Esq., the inventor of the ware, and proprietor of the plant, is the be displayed thereon. These busts may be made of Parian or China clay, either of which like the other materials of the monument will withstand the wear of time for ages, and remain perfect long after columns and obelisks of other material shall have crumbled to dust; therefore, not only as a thing of rare beauty, but of unsurpassed durability, they are of great value and worthy to perpetuate the memory of the greatest and best.
2. Four Center Tables,--Parian China, Porcelain and Mottled, or Flint Enamel. These tables are in imitation of the most elaborately carved and highly finished antique, with standards of beautiful workmanship, surmounted by plain tops three feet and a half in diameter,--the most lasting durability is united with the beauty of these tables, composed as they are of porphyry feldsparic quartz as a body or basis, united with clay that becomes hard as adamant by the action of the heat. They are proof against the action of time, and the thumps and scratches of moving day, and must become immensely popular with those who have money enough to buy. They cost a ‘heap’ of money and those who have a desire to possess one should have ‘the rocks’ in advance.
3. Floor Tiles of patterns entirely new and original, representing Italian and other marble; others of a beautiful blue ground with thirteen stars, and the American Flag inlaid of white. A space of ten feet square has been allotted to the Enamel Works in the Crystal Palace, which they will pave with these Tiles, showing the different patterns and styles. Each corner of this pace will be occupied by a centre table; the monument will be located in the middle; and what spare room there is will be filled with Urns, Vases, Statuetts, Spittoons, etc.
4. A variety of WATER URNS, new patterns,--Porcelain, Marble and Enameled. These Urns are carved and embossed in the most luxurious taste, representing scenes of life and landscape views with a truthfulness of design equal to the finest sculptures or engravings.
5. PORCELAIN VASES.—entirely new,--called the Cupid and American Vases. The first is a funny little affair, embossed with scenes illustrative of that very interesting period “between hay and grass” with some, and with others rather more between “grass and hay!”—in short, that tender period when an individual may not be supposed to know whether he is ‘whistling or crying,’ like the man that took a bite of the green persimmon! A saucy Cupid surmounts the whole, looking about with affected languor, but with both hands upon his quiver ready to pierce the heart of some unsuspecting victim as occasion may offer. Any man or woman that has anything to do with such an article, must do it at their own risk, and take the consequences.
The other, or AMERICAN VASE, is somewhat similar in form with the different sculptures, representing scenes in American history and border life. An exquisite statuette of the Godess of liberty, surmounts the vase, with a staff bearing the liberty cap aloft in triumph. Both these articles are incomparable gems of their own peculiar kind, composed of the purest material perfectly white and will attract the attention of lovers of art, and persons of discrimination, wherever exhibited.
6. PITCHERS IN PARIAN, of unique patterns, embossed, carved and ornamented. Also, enameled Pitchers of all kinds.—These articles have been before the public for a few months, and are pretty generally known. Their worth is tested by the fact that the facilities of the Enamel Works for manufacturing, although of an extent unprecedented in this country, are wholly inadequate to meet the demand of this description of ware; and consequently many orders are sent away unfilled, as a matter of sheet necessity.
7. Books,--White, Marble and Enameled. These are very convenient articles, got up in the shape of “Pilgrims Progress,” “History of Bennington Battle, 1777,” &c. [The idea of the date is a good one for without it some might suppose it a history of later “battles” at Broddignag,--and more especially so in consideration of the convenience of the smaller editions for “pocket pistols,”] The largest Books, capable of holding from a quart to two gallons, are put to a variety of uses not necessary to mention in detail.
8. SPITTOONS.—new patterns.—Parian, Porcelain, Marble, and Enameled. There will be a large display of this staple commodity, in pyramids between the Center Tables; and they will not fail to attract attention not only on account of their beauty of design and rare finish, but for their convenience and utility. Without doubt these are the best Spittoons ever manufactured; and it is a strange fact, though perhaps to be accounted for on psychological principals, that we never see one without an uncontrollable desire to spit in it! Possibly it is because we chews.
9. FIGURES AND STATUETTS in Parian marble. Indian Queens. Taper Holders, Greek Slaves, &c. In the same category may be mentioned the allegorical figures representing ‘Hope’ and ‘Good Night’—both lovely designs, and splendidly carried out. These figures are equal considering their size, to anything we ever saw in marble and must excite the jealousy and emulation of Canova. The those who have not personally inspected these figures this many appear rather “puffy”; those who have seen them, will admit the justice of the commendation.
