The quantity
of objects, more or less genuinely representing the mediaeval art in all
its many branches, which has been carried out of Italy within the last
quarter of a century is something perfectly astounding, and far exceeds
what any one would believe who has not remained in Italy long enough to
observe the process. A considerable portion, no doubt, of the articles
thus carried home with them by the lovers of art has consisted of modern
imitations of ancient workmanship, but the quantity of genuine mediaeval
articles--pottery in its various kinds, furniture, carving in wood, in
marble, in stone and in ivory, lace, bronzes, embroidery, metal-work,
brocaded stuffs, etc.--has been so enormous as to reveal in a very
striking manner the extraordinary wealth of the country in the days when
it was the mistress of Europe in civilization, and the all-pervading
love of the beautiful which caused so very large a portion of that
wealth to be expended for the gratification of a refined taste.
Before proceeding to the more special subject of this article--certain
interesting and recently-discovered notices of some of the most famous
of the old carvers in wood--it may be well to say a word or two on the
subject of the commerce in imitations of the mediaeval works so
extensively carried on in Italy. Of course, a trade based on deception
is in every way to be condemned and regretted. It is not only immoral,
but it generates demoralization.
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