PLATE VI.
AnouT twenty years ago M. Zeigler, a young French artist, travelled in Belgium in pursuit of pictuiesque
subjects for his pencil. Studying the pictures of Gerard Dow, Teniers, Jan Steen , &c., he was struck with
the beauty of many of the old tankards and pitchers so familiar to collectors of the woiks of Dutch andFlemish masters.
Finding in some few private collections at Ghent, Bruges , &c., elegant specimens of this variety of ceiamicart, M. Zeigler made careful studies of the forms of many of them. On his return to France he conceitedthe idea of reproducing these objects, and turned his attention to the selection of a fitting locality foi theexperiment. Remembering the reputation which the immortal works of Bernard de Palissy, in the a n e ofFrancis I., had conferred upon the clays in the neighbourhood of Beauvais , M. Zeigler diiected his inquiiiesto the discovery of such a quality of material as would be best adapted to the particulai lepioduction whichhe had in view. He finally decided on Voisinlieu, near the above-mentioned city, and theie established amanufactory. After many attempts he finally succeeded in producing, at first an imitation, and subsequentlyan origination, which has stamped the articles proceeding from his establishment with the impiess of tasteand with a remarkable individuality of character.
In his interesting and beautifully executed work on Ceramic Art,* M. Zeigler has recorded his studies,both literary and pictorial, in connexion therewith; and has produced an extremely valuable addition tomore well-known treatise of Brongniart.
M. Zeigler’s style of composition, as applied to vases and other similar objects, may be divided intovarieties. One of these appears to be based upon the study of Oriental forms and ornaments, \ h"brought together in geometrical perforations and conventional interlacings in low 7 lelief, and the otducing only, by way of decoration, simple combinations of leaves, flowers, stalks, branches, &c.
Although at first disheartened by the partial failure of many of his experiments, oui a ,
perseverance worthy of, if not equal to, that of his great predecessor, Bernard de Palissy, finally succeeded
in so lealising his conceptions as to be enabled to introduce them satisfactorily to the
soon extended, and a very large demand for his productions was created, not only in France but m othercountries of Europe .
After some years’ successful practice, M. Zeigler became anxious to return to studies more directlycongenial to his profession as a painter. He therefore resigned his interest m the concern into the handsof M - Mansard, who had been for some time associated with him. The commercial and manufacturitalent of the latter gentleman has materially assisted in maintaining the excellence of the Beauvais wand permanently establishing it in public estimation. Sales are effected, and the main portion of M. Mansard’sbusiness is transacted, at his extensive depot in the Rue Richelieu, Paris .
Among the improvements which have been of late years added to the original scheme of M. Zeigler,
mg
are,