The national Republican., 1867-12-31
a Magnificent work OF Art.

senator Chandler OF Michigan, Is the posses
sor, and has at his residence No 35T II street, an
article OF mosaic workmanship, a marble slab
or covering for centre table, which for beauty
artistic skill and finish is uncxcellcd, and, we
believe, superior to anything of similar order in
the country The mosaic style is claimed by
Fairholt to have been commenced In the lattor
part OF the fifteenth century by the brothers
Zueeatti, of Trevizs, and who instructed Titan
In the elements of drawing. The mossics were
executed by means Of cartoOns-were so beAuti-
ful, and had such rare skill displayed in them
that they were at once introduced to the palaces
of the wealthy and the gorgeous temples for the
worship Of Christ. Clement VIII, in the seven
teenth century, employed artists to decorate
the interior OF the dome OF st. Peters by the
art, and each century adds to the wealth
Of the church. Although mechanical, yet the
mosaic should rank as a style of painting, as it
requires cartoon or colored design, similar to
fresco or cOlored oil painting. Many pictures
OF Raphael, DomCnchino, and others have been
preserved by the art In this manner The cele-
brated DR.. KugleF thinks that the art started
into life in the fourth century, he tracing re-
semblances from the mosaic ruins OF Pompeii
with those of modern origin.
There are but few antique specimens In this
country. gentleman by the name of DAWSON,
In New York city, vas the owner of a valuable
membered that Pope Plus TX sent, in 1853 to the
Crystal Palace in New York city mosaic copy
Guercino's ''St John the Baptist" and which
was valued at $4,000.
The article in the possession OF Senator
Chandler Is rare one. The centre piece Is Of
blacA marble, with representation, In colors Of
blue d gorgeously-tinted yellow, OF Pliny's
doves drinking from bowl. This piece is of
antique origin, was missing for a number of
years and was found eventually In one Of the
lesser towns or villas OF Italy. Around the CEN
tire, clustering l.Kc 80 many glltterlng gems, are
over three hundI ed lesser pieces of oval shape,
having among them all the rare and valuable
specimens Of marble known. The colors en-
braeed in this beautiful galaxy are varied and OF
most exquisite taste and finish. The outer circle
is of black marble, and Is a magnificent compari-
son to the varicgated beauties within. The
piece rests upon richly-polished stand OF rose
wood, the feet being AN artistic representation
OF lions springing upon their prey. The stans is
the design Of the accomplished lady OF the SEN
ator, and 1t certainly Is y fine blending of the
graceful with the beautiful. The stand was
made In this country, but the marble covering is
the production of the Old World The value of
1t alone is over 5000 in gold, and 1t is, as we
have stated, one OF the hnest pieces of ancient
workmanship in the country. In being brought
here one or two OF the pieces were cracked
through rough handling, and Rousseau, the
sculptor, North b street and Delaware avenue,
was assigned the delicate duty OF repairing the
mischief, which he did In a manner satisfactory
to all concerned, and returned the gem to its rest
In the parlors Of the Senator, and where Ad-
mirers OF the grand, the tasteful and the antique
can have the opportunity OF viewing most ex-
quisite mosaic picture, a gorgeous rdrd dvis OF
skill and beauty.