LEATHER CARVING.
The " Rathbone Art Gallery" is the name of Mr. Lawrence's new show-rooms for his improved leather ornaments, or "relieve decorative carving." This mode of ornamentation has been applied in numerous ways, as, for instance, in the manufacture of looking-glass frames, fancy baskets, ink-stands, work-boxes, clock cases, fancy tables brackets, con- sole tables, mouldings for rooms, halls, and public buildings. The pre- sent manufacture surpasses in finish any objects of a similar character in papier mache, gutta percha, composition, or other plastic materials. Its being imperishable, as far as heat and cold are concerned, and its elastic nature, renders it peculiarly adapted for decorating ships. It is ex- tremely light and not liable to effloresce. Among the many specimens Mr. Lawrence pointed out to us a colossal bracket, the duplicate of -which was made for the Emperor of the French. The Napoleonic em- blems, eagles and initials, interspersed with foliage, fruit, flowers, &c., are executed in the most masterly manner, the whole design bearing a complete resemblance to an elaborate piece of oak carving. Of course colours or gilding may be used where required. The most recent appli- cation of the material is in a ceiling cornice in the show-room of Mr. Lawrence, in blue and white ; in sharpness and delicacy of outline, the flowers, foliage, and fruit, rival the best efforts of the carver's chisel. The cheapness of the material thus treated places it within the reach of a large class of the public who wish a suitable and inexpensive ceiling ernament.
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