New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-08
TIE LOAN EXHIBITIONS.
ART IN DECORATION AND JEWELRY.


TICLEs-IHE WONDERS IL ONE JFwELRY CASE.
| To TIE EdftOr Of me Trt6une.
SIR: Since the publication Of my last letter, New
York has shown of the treasures in the way of
the productions of industrial art of nearly all periods
of the history Of civilization that possessed by
citizens Of this great city which viii soon become
tho metropolis OF the world in art matters.
II has been my good fortune 10 be selected ~ an
| expert by toe different committees managing the
Loan Exhibition in aid OF the Society Of
Decorative Art. The exhibition, however grand
che display may be, convey to tine
public, only vague idea of the immense wealth OF
art treasures when New-York possesses The IA
pldity with which the exhibition was organized for
the meeting Of citizens of New-York to carry ont
the purposes of the present exhibition was held Oh
November l3, shows that il more time aud larger
tocae had been ut the disposition of The managers
greater perfection might have been attained. New
crthcless this exhibition can he recorded az one Of
tine most gorgeous and interesting ever known IN
the annals OF art and one which owes It's merits to
great extent 10 the spontaneous interest which the
citizens have taken In II. The Loan Collections
Of London and the Expositioas RtTospeetycS
of Paris are organized and studied before
hand, win true European diplomacy; but
here such IS not the case. society, the
object OF winch is most prli5cwor5hy, ash, for tle
to carry ont ts noble intentions, and az once all
taose who have ar treasure. ready 10 strip their
house, of thor most valuable ornaments, 10 exhibit
them in public, and themselves 20 to help arrange
them in ORDER The simple p.risal of the committee
list shows mo-" the different depart lonts were cn-
trusted TO the most efficient hands. The daily pap IS
have given fan descriptions of thr exhibition as
whole. and shall coniine my Efforts 10 calling the
attention Of those who are fortunate enough 20 be
within reach OF this exhibition 70 the article, which
can be of most rs, and interest To students aud
collectors of marycls Of art'
rhe main feature OF tHe exhibition Is this: It
has not been arranged by professional showmcn " no
want 90 make the most of everything iu point %
view Of display, Lut by thc po'.cs.1is Of die articles
who want to let the public see what effect can bee
produced in household decoration, lJ th" us. OF
articles of artistic value, when properly grouped.
For instance, let as take the East Room of the
Academy Of Design. where the bcir-a-hr4c. thc pot
terry, the goldsmith, ana s.lver,ut.i's work AID
the japanese ard Chinese treasure, aT. exhibited.
ON entering the room. the eye l. at oace struck Bog
the effect OF the color II j. harmonious 10 The eH-
trcmc: the drIpercs on the walls tae show eases
ia such perfect luHeo of color tia. the eye receives
an impression akin TO tina, produced on
b. &c? by some low .mrody played 10y
q distant orchestra OF many pieces, in
minor key. Her, and there motive strike, you |
but soon disappears IN the ornamental fultai<ie.
BIt 20 whom do We owe this 10 Ncssr-. samuel
Coleman and L)Iis Tiffany. Who better than iheso
wel.-kuown American artists, can manage colar-c>-
pociay Gacn IL j., tbelr own ,tuits and those of
their brother artist, Ia Fargo. which decorate tUe
walls! At the end Of the ioom facing ,ir entrance,
over small showcase, dress with the utmos.
care. are hanknss made al japanese >iiE-, arl-
,roiIcrrd wth gold; th- robes of taui1-, "ogn
oG gala days d. the suli.cs OF Dia-EiYp.l. before
ungod.y foreign ir,,uic.s had dared 10 d,s,crat.
ther.huuc alJ offer their goods for sale .u foreign
markets. Tnn-r robes. some of winch ar" white sata.
eiIcd cmhrudgr,dia silver, and i.aed "ithc-qg.iio
tiats-whlrh seem go have been stolen from il"
most exquisite OF exotic plapt.-are hung no. os D
Snowman yyou,l hang them, % make the most #
them. bnt %, artist, do in t.eg studios: that IT, in
clusters. ia heavy folds. All they think of is tho
.youist. blending If colorS AM the result Is that
ms lich effect. N.ic. puzzles tlH Dram, suutAcs Jut
eve. ia che small Spac" OF one SNOW -tas': !ct !
lt,ly, fret situate. oyer $1,000 worth of SILK has
Noon u.rd a, dr4perr Ilc humble painter, VINO /
works Eird for his daily bread Tor the small sum oi
- cent, can see tins ami study Do 1T VIA remain /
painted i'm his memory, aud may teach hin good |
lesson: for never ga his lie VIII Ac probably see
such a sight again.
This rs the great point Of the great exhibition. !
The rich in ara and ia treasures have placed their
treasure, before the public, not a, statesmen or
most humble of lovers OF ant can see not alone OBJ
icct+ Of Individual interest, bat groupings such as
never before have been shown to the public. The
show eases i'm ;his East Room are lined sometimes
viii! piag paper, sometimes with gold brocatr, but
AL through tn exhibition the OBJ 20 has been To
obtain tIr finest effect OF color Ms plan IN tni,
letter % speak chiefly OF one sho" cease near iDc
entrance of the room, Wcrr collection oi )rW'itF
nave been made win Che object of Illustrating tlc
different phases through which The Crtt Ui The gold
up 20 the present day. No.. Of die ca'3,
loEHe calls tor: "Twcnty-iour pieces old
ines pietes comprise ring, ear-rinss, aud
one gold cuaiu with q clasp. Al FIRST inspection
they seem todii'r very little from gold ornaments al
the present dan Inc gold cham iset Is oi nne Nire
ANA has intricate iiuAs, and looks as II 10 had just
been turned ou from Newark factory. The work
mau,hIp OF these pieces shows as that line work WAS
more appreciated by tee ancieutS than dead-Weght
No. :, pendant and cal-rnc,, mud ~ LgypiI1n
woula convey the cont rary ea; they are heavy and
net finely worked. A head-piece ami atml from
Jerusalem NO. ~ are also massive although better
work is suoWuou tucIl. The Norwegian and DANISH
jeU,.ry though heavy and maslSe-Walch becomes
lhhabltWBt5 OF cpld clmaltS-i, often beautifully
worked \ DANISH ,lrdie clasp 90. -. slrh as was
worn by brides 800 years aCo, Is more poetcal
n It's design. On the lower side of each half OF the
clasp. Whlch are united when fastened GO The belt,
hang TWO gold letters. The Initials Oh the BRIDE ARE
on one Side. those ci Che groom on the othti Next
TO these are placed OLD German ana Du'ch i'"elS' Oh
exquisite craftsmanship. They lead ua 20 tHo exquisite
work OF Italy, showing among numerous "tHti
pieces. specimens of the jewelry worn by the
peasants of Lombady lNa. i0l, Tuscany
Nos. il and ~. Florence SO. isl, RoUaguA
no. 80 amt l,cua -. 45l. After tins come
several specimens OF work hy Ca>tclllni, ot Rome;
Bigatto of Florence; Calugwocd, of London;
Nicholson and Chrstcsen, 0t Copenhagen; FwWeut,
Mource < Sanper al Paris. and last, though not
least Tiffany * Co.. of New-l FORK The different
methods of treatment of these great manufacturers
~ of much interest 10 workers M metal. Numerous
specimens of intermediate periods are also contained
IN this ease. Among the most remarkable are a
a. ,4ft a