It will be seen from these illustrations that, so far as figure carving and composition are concerned, our foreign rivals, the Italians, Belgians, Austrians, and French, were far ahead of us.  In mere construction and excellence of work we have ever been able to hold our own, and, so long as our designers have kept to beaten tracks, the effect is satisfactory.  It is only when an attempt has been made to soar above the conventional, that the effort is not so successful.

[Illustration:  Lady’s Work Table and Screen.  In Papier-mache. 1851 Exhibition, London.]

In looking over the list of exhibits, one finds evidence of the fickleness of fashion.  The manufacture of decorative articles of furniture of papier-mache was then very extensive, and there are several specimens of this class of work, both by French and English firms.  The drawing-room of 1850 to 1860 was apparently incomplete without occasional chairs, a screen with painted panel, a work table, or some small cabinet or casket of this decorative but somewhat flimsy material.

[Illustration:  Sideboard.  In Carved Oak, with subjects taken from Sir Walter Scott’s “Kenilworth.”  Designed And Manufactured by Messrs. Cookes, Warwick 1851 Exhibition, London.]

[Illustration:  A State Chair.  Carved and Gilt Frame, upholstered in Ruby Silk, Embroidered with the Royal Coat of Arms and the Prince of Wales’ Plumes.  Designed and Manufactured by M. Jancowski, York. 1851 Exhibition, London.]

[Illustration:  Sideboard in Carved Oak.  Designed And Manufactured by M. Durand, Paris. 1851 Exhibition, London.]

[Illustration:  Bedstead in Carved Ebony.  Renaissance Style.  Designed and Manufactured by M. Roule, Antwerp. 1851 Exhibition, London.]

[Illustration:  Pianoforte.  In Rosewood, inlaid with Boulework, in Gold, Silver, and Copper.  Designed and Manufactured by M. Leistler, Vienna. 1851 Exhibition, London.]

[Illustration:  Bookcase, In Carved Lime Tree, with Panels of Satinwood.  Designed and Manufactured by M. Leistler, Vienna. 1851 Exhibition, London.]

[Illustration:  Cabinet.  In Tulipwood, ornamented with bronze, and inlaid with Porcelain.  Manufactured by M. Games, St. Petersburg, 1851 Exhibition.]

The design and execution of mountings of cabinets in metal work, particularly of the highly-chased and gilt bronzes for the enrichment of meubles de luxe, was then, as it still to a great extent remains, the specialite of the Parisian craftsman, and almost the only English exhibits of such work were those of foreigners who had settled amongst us.

[Illustration:  Casket of Ivory, With Ormolu Mountings.  Designed and Manufactured by M. Matifat, Paris. 1851 Exhibition, London.]

[Illustration:  Table, In the Classic Style, inlaid with Ivory, Manufactured for the King of Sardinia by M. G. Capello, Turin. 1851 Exhibition, London.]

[Illustration:  Chair, In the Classic Style, inlaid with Ivory.  Manufactured for the King of Sardinia by M. G. Capello, Turin. 1851 Exhibition, London.]