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

Crystal Fountains for the East.

IMO

The unparalleled splendour of the gig antic crystal can-
delabra lately manufactured by the Mess..s. Defries for the
Nizam 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, alt hough
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 celebn'ty of the firm land
heighten the fame of British manufacturers abroad. tis
scarcely possible to convey in words an idea of the great
beauty of the splendid structure we have 1 tad the gratifica-
tion of witnessing, but the elegance of the fountains may
in some degree be imagined from the followia g brief descrir
Lion. The form chosen represents a kind of temple, 12 lea
in height, the four columns being composed o f diamond cut
glass of ruby, blue, green, and topaze tints, around each
of which is entwined two series of invertea water jets, re-
presenting flowers of rare brilliancy. From a o centre
rises a number of elegantly cut glass dishes rep: esenting
immense water lilies, and beneath the two largecit 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 throws 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 vhen 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 the "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 completion 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 Idelicately 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 adcled, 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 we 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 bronze, 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. 11
manner its high merit deserves.