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

Crystal Fountains for the East.

The unparalleled splendour of the gig antic crystal al*
delabra lately manufactured by the Mesa, -s. Deities 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 et
small coloured glass lamps for illuminative purl loses.
many manufacturers this peculiar direction m .oath have
been insurmountable, but the Messrs. Defries , ou
the order was a perfect novelty to them, have succeeded in
producing such a magnificent specimen of workmaushiP.
that it cannot but add to the celebrity of the firm, and
heighten the fame of British manufacturers abroad. It
scarcely possible to convey in words an idea. of the great
beauty of the splendid structure we have had the gratifies'
tion of witnessing, but the elegance of the fountains may
in some degree be imagined from the following brief deserirt
tion. The form chosen represents a kind of temple, 12 fee,
in height, the four columns being composed of diamond ell'
glass of ruby, blue, green, and topaze tints, around eat
of which is entwined two series of inverted w ster jets, re'
presenting flowers of rite brilliancy. Fret a the centre
rises a number of elegamqy cut glass dishes representing
immense water lilies, and beneath the two largest in the
centre, tiers of fairy lanth,orns have been placed, Ott:
structed of oriental coloured crystal, in order that
the prismatic rays may fall up an. the water as it descends'
Around the centre of the fountain there are two more tiers
of floral jets, whilst the principal slue rises from the sufunlit
and tilt ows its glittering stream to a height of 30 or 40 feet.
Water jets have also been introduce d into the capitals of
the columns to play into the upper dish, and when the
whole series are put into action the 4pec4-ator cannot but
imagine that he is standing in front of or to of those fail,
creations only to be read of in the " Ar. abian Nighte:
Although the work is not to remain in Engl end (it is VI
peculiar these triumphs of English art invariat ly go abroad),
the firm have determined to manufacture sms 11 fac.sirailse
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 he
immediately exhibited at the west-end showrooms Of tha,
firm, the Crystal Gallery, Piccadilly. Various magnifieew
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 Cow
pletion of the engraved service copied front the lama!
Elgin marbles. Each figure is a perfect atutly, and Wit"
now we have never known the extent and perfection 0
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 Bata
be pronounced as a triumph of British art. Tile
Alexandi a cups and vases have also been added, and el'
though of a different ornamentation, they are of equal merit
and excellence. It would occupy too much space to g°
even briefly into a description of merely the principal ob-
jects of beauty displayed, but we cannot pass from the or
hibition without noticing the lace work and floral ornamer
tation that has been engraved on many of the dinner sea
dessert services, goblets, flower vases, comporters, 804
which, although not of the massive character of those t°
which we have already referred, bear the same stroll) of
artistic execution. The latest additions to the chandeliers
comprise many of the most extraordinary dimensions, con,
strutted 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 offer'
the greatest accommodation to visitors, the most extensii
alterations have been made, in order that a stock, unequalled
for extent, variety, and costliness, may be exhibited 111
manner its high merit deserves,