Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-09-03
The Chrysarma or Golden Chariot
M II ax-rn~r, q, w. prxc'c MrNAEEVIE

will be exhibited about ten days, when it VIII re-
turn to this city for short period.
Our attention was particularly attracted by a
new vehicle, drawn BY ten large and beautiful
black horses, which preceded the immense ca
vacade. 1t is unquesonably the most stupen-
1ous creation Of sculptural and decorative art
that has been produced in any nation of the mo-
dern world, and it probably rivals any OF those
renowned triumrh,l chariots Of Cambyses or
S'rdanapa'ns, Cleopatra or Alexander, Alcibia-
des or the Caesars. with which classical history
and poetry exalt our conceptions of the splen-
dollr Of tn ancient empires.
It is blazing prodigy of crimson. purple, and
gold, seven feet high, and twenty-one feet in
length, exhibiting classical figures. Of colossal
stature. in bold and vigorous scn pure, grouped
with lordly animals of the forest projected in 81.
milar proportions ], is free from all tinsel and
tlinsy ornament, and makes a predominant i'm
preston of snmptuous and substantial grandeur
blended with the highest compatible degree OF
grace and beauty. The first figure that com
mands the eye, on the right side, over the hind
wheel, is that of an IIerculcan archer in the at
ttude and act of aiming. with well-drawn bow
and barbed arrow. at the open mouth OF mas
sive tiger. cronched over the fore wheel. and
turning with frrocous rage toward his assai-
ant These figures Of the archer aud tiger are
not carved merely in high-reIicf, but, at most
points, in all the free force and full effect OF de-
tached statnary the former figure being appa-
rently study from the Grecan antique OF Saglt-
tariuS, and the latter from some superb specimen
of the tiger in the Menagerie-so natural and
living is It's expression. About midway between
these conspicuous figures, and, therefore, on the
waist of the carriage. above the space between
the wheels, is remarkably gorgeous profuson
of carved work, surrounding a convex compart-
ment or panel. containing a soft and charming
painting of the Genius Of America seated in the
chariot o. Neptune on the waves. bearing the
banner of the Union and heraldcd BY Fame
This picture forms medallion in the centre of a
capacious golden shield which expands into
radiating border Of the bOldest relief. and OF that
peculiar style technically known as the she'll
frili so famous in the higher efforts of arabesque
carving, and of which this probably constitutes
the largest and richest example ext'nt in any
country. On the right front, in advance OF the
couchant tiger, is full-.ized statue of Pan, the
tutelary deity of the Arcadian shepherds and pa
iron Of hunters. seated on his shaggy launches,
blowing his syrinx or pastoral reeds, the origin
of the organ.) and bearing on his right arm his
curved staff. This is one OF the best and most
ellb,r,tely executed classical statues with which
this vast vehicle is adorned although it might
possibly have been still more effective in erect
attitude. Like all the other figures and carved
work. it CLOVIS in FURNISHED gold, SO soidy me-
tallic to the sight AS to seem rather cast in
that precious metal than an exterior plating
But it would be great injustice to the sumptn-
business of this astonishing fabric not to award
the warmest encomu,ns 70 the carved flowers
and foliage which occupy every accessible and
appropriate space around the animated forms on
either side. That rmiccntly ornate and
graceful stem-toliage, flowing in long arches
and curved branches, known in its two varieties
OF Franco-English and English arabesque, which
has excited the cnuons study of American ar
fists for several years past. is here displayed in
a mastery of taste and workmanship demonstra-
tive of the transcendant success which that emu.
lation has achieved. Better spe cimens of this
enchanting ornament, in free wood carving, do
not certainly exist: and those soaring over the
head OF the bearded archer. above described.
give an outline of imposing grandeur to this lof-
ty portion OF the vehicle which scarcely any
other design could equal
The front of the carriage rests upon the backs
of two monstrous and grote-que alligators, in
bronze, VINO seem compressed beneath its pom
dcrous weight But in design and execution,
these huge figures possess great merit, evlncing
a daring freedom with the grotesIue upon winch
few modern artists have presumed, and which II
requires a poetic taste, cultivated amid the my
thologic and Ieraldc forms OF old oriental art
fully to appreciate. But passing around these
to the left front of the chariot, we arrive al a
piece of sculpture with the subject OF which the
popular mind is more familiar. 1T Is that OF d.
ana, the huutress the free, heath,ul, strong, and
active maiden goddess of the chase, with bow
and culver, bare breasts, and flowing tune, ca
reerng onward in pursuit atten1e,, by her fond
and faithful hound. Even to the uncouth figure
of the classic hound is tins production true Il
the standard models and no critic would hest
tate to pronounce it the best copy, OF the size I"
lie. that has been produced III the SANE IN tie
rial. 1t necessarily occupies nearly the wnol,
space over the lett fore wheel, and brings US It
the central compartment of carved work ON th
side. We nave here another convex panel, me
dalloncd, like the former, in spacious shell
shield, spreading into similar projecting trili
work, of equal workmanship and spiendor. Bu
the painting on this side, is highly finished
gem, that will elicit universal admiration. l'n'
scene is IA wooded and rocky mountain dell, at
f,rding distant and soft perspective and exhi
biting, on the foreground, a group OF three u
four ngures, of winch the centre one is IA flu
and spirited conception OF manly beauty and vi
gor very rarely eq,,alleb. 1t is that OF tame
of sivag. b, asts IN their own forest haunts, WIN
mas pursued aad subdued IA royal tiger in 1t
# gien and WAC stands with his foot upon its pros
n trate and submissive form, while two lovely fe
IN lies approach him VITA long wreath of How
ers, pendant in rich iestoons, as if to enchai
even the victor with the power of their reward
and charms. This picture is remarkably tel
ctous and striking, and the flowers, particular
ly, are finished with minuteness and brillianc
seldom seen even in the choicest treasures of
studio. We pass from this fascinating objcc
however, to colossal lion over the lett min
wheel, bearing a striding cupid with LITE
torch. TINS subject stands in line contrast wit
that of the athletic and destructive archer on til
opposite side, since we have here the brute M
march of the forest subiued and guided by
enid. Over this massive stituary, ascends a
n arch of brsIo...a.,s and carving foliage, in ha
II mony with that winch we have mentioned on II
a opposite compartment, and Which, loses no fave
IN upon renewed inspection, We fihaiy reac
e. the lofty back of this gigantic car, and see q
to immense eagle of flaming gold, in the act of ri
al ing upon expanded wings with our national e
II, cutcleon of stripes and stars. When we sta
ed that this work occupies the whole of the bac
rs compartment, some idea may be formed of
III magnitude, and OF the undivided force of its {
feet.
n But we must again take position in front
ID, this magnificent structure, in order to obtain
re- view Of its interior, lis canopy, and its draper
u II has, within its body, five ASCENDING seats q