New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-11-05


It has been long generally conceded that in the
manufacture of articles 6herein taste was re.
quired, as well as skill, me artisans of New Orleans
stood in the front rank, not ouly in America, but
in the world. Now and then objects Of taste and
articles for use well as ornament, manufactured
here, have found their way to Europe, and excited
the admiration as well emulation of the artisans
OF Paris and London. Uniting to remarkable
degree the inventive faculty of the American
people with the genius of the most gifted nations
OF the south Of Europe, our workmen appear to
be on Inc high road to win renown unsurpassed
by that OF the most celebrated peoples of ancient
or modern times. Hitherto they have had few
opportunities Of exhibiting their works, and be-
coming known to fame; but our appreciatiye and
wealthy population have always given them an
ample and remuneratve patronage. Now that
there are to be great Industrial fairs annually held
in our city, it is but reasonable expect that our
artisans will at last become known to the world
generally, and that their chef d'Gtture will
bring for them the fame they long ago richly de-
served.
We were led to these remarks upon inspecting
the sverwarc mandatory which our friend Mr..
G. H Zimmerman has established at Nos. 81 and
90 Canal street, over their splendid jewelry estab-
lishment. This mandatory is on tie fourth floor
of the building, and no one can visit it without
being at once astonshed and delighted. Workmen
can there be seen busted in all the various branches
of the business. Some are rolling out silver into
plates; others welding them together into urns,
sugar bowls, punch bowls and pitchers some are
casting tie sodid ornaments for tile others work;
and last, but not least are the artists with maet,
chisel and cngraYers tools, faslouing out designs
which even Beneyenuto Cellini himself would have
been proud 10 call his own. ..
We saw in the course Of nanuraeture in hs
establishment full set Of plate, designed for eX-
Lbitton at the fair to be heId lere shortly. It
consists Of over dozen pieces, which for tgste in
design, originality Of conception aod perfection Of
finish We venture to say never has been eHeeied.
We cannot attempt detailed descriptionf1r want
u u the space to-day but we advise all Who take
= prde in the genius of the people Of our State not
n to lose the opportunity Of seeing them which
I they will have at the fur.
! But the manufacture Of silgerware N not all
= the WORK done in the establishment OF Mr. Zm-
! nernann. On the third floor Of his building lie
- has established mandatory q iewelry, watch
u cases etc; and we there saw jewels being set
+ which would have excited the organ Of coYet-
y business even in a king. Diamonds, emerads,
~ rubics and gold were scattered around in such
u loose disorder that VIC were reminded 81 the
y Eas tern tales read in boyhood. One workman
y was busy setting G magnificent Diamond ring,
> which, we were informed, was for celebrated
y belle from her inteudcd another was binding
= together necklace Of pearls another setting the
re- Jewels in d bracelet, boh worthy Of heinz worn
u by Cleopatra herself. The sight was too much
M for our weak nerves, and left bewiaergd at so
= much wealth.
y We will notattempt a description Of the splendid
y store and stock of goods on the ground aoor,
Y where Mr. Zimmerman and Major Driver always
I appear so happy to wait upon their friends. The
- accumulated wealth Of Sinbads Diamond Valley,
u. solomon's Temple and the mines Of Golconda
~ appear to have been gathered together by Mr.. 2.
~ when he was abroad last summer, and now piled
g up in his store. Turning our dazzed eyes from
~ SO much wealth, they were attracted by several
, objects of art, and we spent an hour gazing at
several exquisite pieces of statuary to be found
u in the store One piece of carving in wood
u attracted our attention particularly. 1t is group
Y of Alpine chamois hunters, and is evidently the
~ work of master hand.
lo In concluding this account of our visit TO Mr..
~ Zimmermann' establishment, We cannot refrain
NJ from exulting at what we consider triamph to
u be claimed by our city, in having one of its old
t. ctizens-a gentleman who has lived here since
W chldbood-take so high position among its
VI manufacturers and to express the wish that the
~ noble example he has set may be followed by the
vi rising generation.