The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-29 00:00:00

Crystal romitains for the East.

The unparalleled splendour of the gigantic crystal cat-
delabra lately manufactured by the Messrs. Defriee for the
Nizom has led to another extensive order from the same
locality, but this time it is for five colossal fountains, to be
composed entirely of cut crystal, with the introduction of
small coloured glass lamps for illuminative purposes. To
many manufacturers this peculiar direction would have
been insurmountable, but the Messrs. Defries, although
the order was a perfect novelty to them, have succeeded in
producing such a magnificent specimen of workmanship
that it cannot but add to the celebrity of the firm, and
heighten the fame of British manufacturers abroad. It is
scarcely possible to convey in words an idea of the great
beauty of the splendid structure we have had the gratifica-
tion of witnessing, but the elegance of the fountains may
in some degree be imagined from the following brief descrip-
tion, The form chosen represents a kind of temple, 12 feet
in height, the four columns being composed of diamond cut
glass of ruby, blue, green, and topaze tints, around each
of which is entwined two series of inverted water jets, re-
presenting flowers of rare brilliancy. From the centre
rises a number of elegantly cut glass dishes representing
immense water lilies, and beneath the two largest in the
centre, tiers of fairy lanthorns have been placed, con-
structed of oriental coloured crystal, in order that
the prismatic rays may fall upon the water as it descends.
Around the centre of the fountain there are two more tiers
of floral jets, whilst the principal one rises from the summit
and tier ows its glittering stream to a height of 30 or 40 feet.
Water jets have also been introduced into the capitals of
the columns to play into the upper dish, and when the
whole series are put into action. the spectator cannot but
imagine that he is standing in front of one of those fairy
creations only to be read of in tile " Arabian Nights."
Although the work is not to remain in England (it is very
peculiar these triumphs of English art invariably go abroad),
the firm have determined to manufacture small facsimiles
for the decoration of the dinner table, which will continue
in action without requiring the slightest attention fOr three
hours, and on the comp:etion of the first one it will be
immediately exhibited at the west-end showrooms of the
firm, the Crystal Gallery, Piccadilly. Various magnificent
additions have within the last few days been made to the
superb display of table glass already there on gratuitous
exhibition, and the first which claims attention is the com-
pletion of the engraved service copied from the famous
Elgin marbles. Each figure is a perfect study, and until
now we have never known the extent and perfection to
which engraving on glass could be carried. The half tones
are all /delicately developed, an d the most minute details
are so exquisitely executed that the service may safely
be pronounced as a triumph of British art, The
Alexandra cups and vases have also been added, and al-
though of a different ornamentation, they are of equal merit
and excellence. It would occupy too much space to go
even briefly into a description of merely the principal ob-
jects of beauty displayed, but we cannot pass from the ex-
hibition without noticing the lace work and floral ornamen-
tation that has been engraved on many of the dinner and
dessert services, goblets, flower vases, comporters, &c.,
which, although not of the massive character of those to
which wo have already referred, bear the same stamp of
artistic execution. The latest additions to the chandeliers
comprise many of the most extraordinary dimensions, con-
structed either in silver, crystal, ormolu, and bronce, but
perhaps the best view of the gaseliers is to be had at the
City manufactory and show rooms, where, in order to afford
the greatest accommodation to visitors, the most extensive
alterations have been made, in order that a stock, unequalled
for extent, variety, and costliness, may be exhibited in a
manner its high merit deserves,