New-York tribune., 1876-06-21
CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION.
RUSSIAN AND TUNISIAN ART.

RICH AND INTERESTING DIsPLAYs-sTRIKlNG ORIGIN
Atty OF WORK IN GOLD AND SILVER.
lFIoN THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE J
PHILADELPHIA, June 19.-EnOugh OF the
cases in the Russian Department have been arranged
and unvailed show that the display OF that country
will be exceedingly rich and interesting. The work in
gold and silver cannot he too highly praised In Its way
It Is absolutely peerless. The English and American
ssersmths will have to look TO their laurels now that
these rivals Moscow have entered the lists. The
unique darnascened work gold might expect would
be nnequaled; but when find the Muscove artists
producing repousse work OF the highest order OF merit
and chasings and plastic work not exceed in
Paris, may well wonder II the course OF empire
as far as the arts are concerned 10 not
reversing its proverbal course and taking Its way cast
waid. The enthusiastic dreams Of the Pansavists who
Imagine that their is destined day 10 develop
higher civilization than the world has vet known dc not
appear fantastic after has examined these marvel
ous triuinphs OF genius and skill Among tie most
striking exhibits Is large semcrcular plaque In high
repousse relief S7000l representing the Alteration OK
Shepherds and small copy OF the same sttuette
Of a Cossack chief mounting his horsc-exeeedingy
spirited, and worked out with such microscopic minute
OF detail that it il every hair on tho animal
could be distinguished tS1.57O) and great cup with
score OF figures OF peasants dancing tsl,O7O).
One kind of work that is quite penti'uly displayed
by the Russians is novel in design as 10 Il per-
feCt ia execution. On cake Ddskcl
white damask napkin which appears at first sight TO be
lnen but which Is really OF silver with the dbers
and patern of the initiated cloth worked out carefully
that the Illusion Is wonderful In some pieces tho nap
Kin has coored border and In II forms the cover
to punch bowl Upon all the Russian sverware there
Is the unmstakabe stanp az original genius. Here axe
no copies of French Itslian models. but fom and
decor are alike outgrowhs Of Muscoyte taste and
culture. Only little iess admirable tnan the silver work
IA that In madche and !aps lazu Of which there is
rich aud beautiful exhibit including mantcls tables,
clocks vases caskets, and great variety or mdniei
ornaments The fabrics Of silver and gold thread heavily
embroidered with green leaves and vines IN six,
surpass anything OF the kind exhibited by the Oriental
nations that excel In this sort OF work. What the Rus
slams have to show besides these costly shall
in few days.
The Tunisan Section although not in complete order,
Il open TO visitors IL contains some beautiful work IN
heavy gold embroidery upon green and crimson velvet,
In the forms Of sadecots, cushions tahlecovers, slip
pes. etc., tigree jewelry, jewehlted dagsers, inald
weapons, cloth Of gold and silver curously carved dnd
painted furniture. and variety Of garments and uen-
,s all Clitering with barbIrc prouson Of color and
ornament There are two architectural structnrc,-a
snia pagoda and ripe-archcd facaiethai show SKILL
fl wors wood and the same taste for gorgeous and
not always harmonious oooring that cnaracterizcs
tho articles Of personal adornmcnt large piece
OF mosaic taken from the door OF tho Temple
Of Diana In the ruins of Carthage Is shown. Il
represents lion sczns his prey and b for sale for 5000
gold Many II the finest exhibits are he property oi the
Boy Of uns The section, may remark for tbe 0eneh,
of visitors whom the topography OF th" Main Budng
familiar. will bc found IN the rear Of that Of Den
marx Il unfortunate tha, all nldons participating IN
he Exhibition could not have been iyen frontage In
the main sisle that walk along that aisle would be-
80 90 speak, o, the world ou bcsrs several OF
the Brush colonies. Portugal. Tuiis, tie Hawaiian
sancs Peru and the Orange free state must be sought
behind drParturnso o other Countries AMI Venezue.
and bepa do not appear In the Main Building az all,
but naxe.ther entire displays In AgriculiGra Hall.