The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-09-18
,avishea upon ,bisliIt,e bit of canvas be-

lures, "ArcadiA" and the little sweet
faced peasant girl eating porridge. The
coloring in the latter Is rich and true ia
nature, but not obtrusive. The expires.
sion is sweet, very striking, and very
natural. Bouguereau's popularity in
this country 10 very great, being second
only to Vibert and Meissonnier. AL.
though he is not classed by critics as a
great painter, he is regarded as man OF
more than ordinary talent, and generally
obtains very respectable position in
the art world.
HOUSEHOLD DEPARTMENT IN ART HALL.
The household department of the Ex-
position being in such close proximity
to the Art Gallery, has been very near
being overlooked, in fact, many have
come and gone and not really known of
its existence. They have, 1t is true,
while walking through the Main hall OF
the art department, glanced listlessly
through the arched doorway at the
bronzed images and carved teakwood
tables and the like, but the intrinsic
value, the great beauty or antiquity of
the articles therein arranged, have never
been fully comprehended by the masses.
To the curiosity-seeker, or the student
of history, this department is a mine of
wealth, far exceeding any similar exhi-
bition of the kind ever seen in this city.
For the collection and arrangement OF
THE department., visitors to the Exposi-
tion, and the city in general, are largely
indebted to Nr. 81. d. Holmes and John
s. Woods, the Committee on Household
Art. Some OF the more prominent OBJ
jects, viewed historically, that is, with
regard to certain romantic stories con-
nected with each, and some prominent
on account of their great age or value,
are worthy of more than passing no.
tice. First Of all comes a beautiful
sculptured head of fisher boy, the prop
erty of Mr.. James Gilmore, Of this city.
The value of this is two-fold, first on ac-
count of Its beauty as a work OF art,
which will readily be recognized by the
observing, and second, as work OF the
late Hiram Powers, one of Americas
greatest sculptors, who was also for
many years resident OF this city. Not
withstanding the many quibbling critics,
the author Of the "Greek Slave" occu-
pies the first place among our artists,
and the possess0r of work of his, such
as the ''Fisher Boy" confers great fa-
vor upon the public by placing it in a
gallery like this, where, for the time be-
ing, it becomes public property and a
thing ofbeauty for all.
Next, probably, in the row the eye will
be more attracted by the large Chinese
Vases of Mr.. JAS. Robb, which are very
valuable, not only in themselves, but on
account of their great age, said to be
some four hundred years. Mr.. Robb be-
came possessed OF them by accident,
having found them in an old curiosity
shop in London, when recognizing their
yal1e, and the fact that they were un-
doubtedly genuine, he purchased tht m
paying for them in the neighborhood OF
thousand dollars.
Farther along is clock and chande-
liers Of onyx aud bronze, numbered 10, l6
and II in the catalogue, which, from their
general character. appear to be of the
time OF Francis l, of France. These are
the property of Mr.. D. Ii. Holmes, and as
the statue Of limitation is in force, we
may state that they were stolen from the
Castle OF Luciennes during the French
revolution, though who did the stealing,
our informant refused to relate.
No. 25 is an old clock, made by John
Farmer, OF Dublin, in 1867. This clock
was once the property OF the Great Com
moner, Oliver Cromwell, and was hand
ed down by him to his daughter, Ann
CIaypole; from her 1t got into the pos
session OF the Wailaces, who, In due
course Of time, turned it over to Its pres
ent owner, Mr.. r. W. Burnet, of this
city.
carved cabinet in the center Of the hall,
is the helmet of Henry II, of France, be-
helmet in which that monarch was killed.
The story of his death, though common,
might not be out Of place here. Dian de
Poyctier was the mistress Of Henry ii,
who became suspicious OF the conduct OF
one Of his lieutenants, Count Montgom-
cry, towards her, and on this account
had him imprisoned. The Counts only
son, to be revenged upon the King, ap-
peared incog. at the next tournament,
wearing complete armor, and without
colors. In the encounter the King was
slain. The original of this helmet is in
the Musee at Cheny. Near the helmet
is a sword also replicate. The original
being the sword which Francis l, OF
France, wore at MarignanO.
Next we come to small antique
DrOnZe Ol ''MeTcuiy3 WHICH WAS eXca-
yated near Florence. This statue is the
property of Mrs. Jas. W. Gaf, who
prizes 1t very highly ON account OF the
little history attached to it. just as the
workmen bad turned up this little relic
from a heap Of rubbish, MIR. Gaff
and his daughter were passing, and
Miss Gaff, taking fancy to it, persuad-
ed her father to buy it, but scarcely bad
they started from the spot when they
were pursued and oyertaken by the po-
lice, who insisted that the article should
not 60 outside of Italy, and it was only
after great trouble that Miss Gaff sue
ceeded in keeping possession of her
property, and then it had to be wrapped
| In some linen and smuggled outside the
gates of Florence. Bronzes, vases, Dres-
den vases, silver bronze. statuettes,
Moorish rugs, antique jewel boxes, and
such articles Of vertu, without number,
are beautifully and artistically arranged
| about the Hall.
There is one thing which appears to
attract every one, and would, no doubt,
be more interesting il its'history were
4 known to all. 1t is an old piece Of ia.
pestry, numbered 100, and hangs on the
south wall of this Department. 1t rep.
resents Proserpine, the bride of Death,
offering at the Altar Of Ceres. This was