The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-08-18
Foreign Art Gossip.


The AhenUum gives the following dcscrip-
ton OF the statue to Mr.. Peabody just erected in
LOudon;-
This represents the bcnefactor seated i'm an
ornate and effective, if not very well designed,
chalr OF modern make, and wearing an entirely
modern costume, In respect to the employment
of which nothing could be more desirable for a
iublic statue. The figure exhibits much ease of
attitude, rests It's shoulders against the back rail
ul the chair, with arms i'm 'front.' one of which
reposes on the corresponding elbow of the selt
ne other lies lightly, but with little "cNpres-
Ion, upon its fellow thigh. The legs are
crossed at the knees. Much of the difficulty of
-ucccs-iully composing a seated figure, so a. to
.ook finely from all points of view, has been
avoided rather than mastered by the use of the
1halr which is perfectly legitimate. Accord
iugly, however. the design, in this respect, is
NOT to be tried by high and difficult STANDARD.
HlanY points of view arc cminently satisfactory.
The expression of the face is genial and apt
ihc so-called difficulty of treating modern
boot, coat, WaistcOat, and pair of trousers has
been overcome with remarkable good fortune.
altogether this is an extremely desirable addi
ton to our public statues.
The work of erecting the large extension of
the Elgin Room at the British Museum is pro-
crossing rapidly. The new chamber will be ap-
propriated to the display of sculptures, includ-
ing many examples which have not hitherto been
shown. The money granted to the British Mu-
! scum recently comprised an estimate for the
erection OF iron galleries i'm the Print and Medal
Rooms, additions which are very much needed.
Space for the exhibition of the more generally
interesting contents Of these sections OF the NIu-
scum is very much wanted.
The external restoration. or rather rebuild
ing, of the Chapter House of Westminster Alb
hey, Is now, so far as regards the larger
| features of that work. almost finished. The
wooden part of the roof is placed and has vet
TO be covered against the weather; the parapet
has been renewed throughout, also the flying
/ buttresses and the detached pieces on which
they rest new buttress and pier have been
erected i'm the space which is i'm front of the en-
trance at Poets Corner, so that approach is now
had to the Abbey in that quarter under the lofty
| flying buttress of this pier The new external
works look remarkably well: so far rs they are
! concerned the Chapter House is a new one.
! The internal works are being carried on with
! energy; we may shortly take an opportunity of
| adding to our former remarks on this very in
| tercsting work. The exterior of the Chapter
! House was until recently so completely defaced
that no objections can be urged against its re-
! building. 1t is now fine piece of architecture
! The British Museum has recently acquired
| by purchase. from VI. Plot, of Paris, fine bronze
! statue of boy playing ut the immemorlal game
| OF moro, by holding up two o the fingers of his
| left hand, in order that a playfclOW may guess
! their number. This work is i'm complete pre-
! scrvation, except n slight defect on the left
ankle, which may have been attached to a sup
port or accessorial element of the design. 1t is
! remarkable for its fine condition, execution, and
size, was found at Foggia, and dates probably
| from the Macedonian period of Art, as appears
from the luxurious style and treatment Of the
plump contours of the subject. Also for the
| reproducing in bronze of jewels such rs were
| worn on the heads; among these is one on the
| forehead From the forehead the hair of the
| child is turned back in double curl or roll on
the middle of the head, and secured at the verteX
| by second jewel; the triple ends of the curl
terminate in minor jewels 1t is most desirable
addition to the national collection of bronzes.
MIR. Franks has just acquired for the British
| Museum, by means of the Slade Fund, some
very interesting specimens of antique, medieval,
and later glass. Among these are three lamps
| of Oriental origin and remarkable beauty in
| color and decoration. Two of these were in the
| Loan Exhibition of 1862. Nos. 1867 and 1863.
| These formerly belonged to Lord Ashburton
(Mr. Baring), and so were exhibited. They
bear inscriptions stating that they were made
by order of the Emir Takuzdemir chief of the
Council of Ell Melik en-Nasir (1293-1341) some.
time Governor of Egypt and Damascus One OF
these lamps is l2S inches high by 9 inches in
diameter; the other 13 inches high by 81 inches
in diameter; also patera, surmised to be of the
third century, with the plumes of Isis in golC
upon the lower side of its centre. Anothe,
patera of clear glass, with ,radiating fern-likC
pattern of opaque green glass or enamel, en-
riched with birds in white, flowers in blue, anC
with the fronds tipped with yellow; seventeenth
century. Venetian marriage-gObet of blu
glass, having busts introduced within the wed
dng-rings in enamel, by which, with other or
naments, it is decorated. An antique Roman
boat, of dark blue glass, shaped with the wheel
and bearing traces of the tools on its surface
small Roman amphora of like materials and
noble antique bowl, or wide-mOuthed vase, O
most interesting character.