ACCESSORIES 341

Small Sculpture. Small figures in stone, wood, metal, ivory,
pottery, porcelain, plastic, or glass are suitable for home decora-
tion. Figurines from 12 to 18 inches tall are most easily placed,
as they are large enough to stand alone or in pairs. They are often
effective in combination with flower arrangements. Small articles
4 inches or less in height are out of scale with room furnishings
unless they are arranged in groups, preferably in cabinets. A
collection might well be limited to certain subjects, certain ma-
terials, or certain types. See pages 9, 62, 88, 347, 348, 349, and
350 for some of the small sculptures pictured in this book.

Those who can afford to buy original sculpture rather than re-
productions should do so to encourage living sculptors as well as
to have the satisfaction of exclusive ownership. They should be-
come acquainted with contemporary work by attending exhibi-
tions of sculpture. A person who wishes to be able to judge
sculpture should read some of the excellent books on the subject
and also the current periodicals.

One of the most important qualities of good sculpture is that it
should express an idea that is significant to mankind. A basic
human need or experience is often the inspiration for the sculptor's
message. This can be communicated even in miniature sculpture.

Fine design alone is reason enough for the creation of small
decorative sculptures. A few suggestions follow that may prove
helpful to the amateur in judging the design of sculpture. Sculp-
ture should be compact in design. There should usually be no
protuberances that might break off if it were rolled on the floor.
Decided movement in sculpture should be avoided. A figure
permanently leaping induces weariness in an observer. Things
delicate in texture such as chiifon, ribbons, feathers, flowers, and
seafoam are not proper subjects to express in clay, stone, metal,
or wood. In sculpture stylistic treatment of subjects is usually
better than naturalistic treatment. Some of the best stylized fig-
urines are Chinese or Modern.

Stone sculpture should appear compact, heavy, and stone-like.
Clay sculpture shows its plasticity in more rounded and extended
forms. Metal sculpture should express the fluidity of the molten
medium and tensile strength. Wood sculpture respects the grain
of the wood and is often as informal as the wood itself.