Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-12-01
PALATIAL RESIDENCES.
A Description Orthe Homes OF Gotham's
wealthy PeODle.

Within the last two or three years,
says the New York World, much ofthe
wealth of New York is taking this
permanent form. Riches now oblige
devotion to art in one form or another,
and latterly it is taking the direction OF
interior decoration. Much OF the work
i'm preparing for houses now building IS
of the most costly character. Forum
ately, having fallen in the hands OF art
lists, the permanent from which 1t has
assumed, gives its artistic value proml-
nCnce over the luxury of the material.
In house on Fifth avenue 4 series OF
panels for theSeeiling OF dining room,
designed to surround a skyiight of:stain-
ed glass, with Illustrate the magniHcence
of much of the present style OF decor
alton. These panels have been design
ed by Mr.. Lafrage, and are made from
models prepared by st. Gaudens. one
OfthCSe is a Medusa head i'll bronze re-
poulsse, surrounded by wreath
whose leaves are cOlOred marble mingled
with berries of ivory. On either side
are cupids carved i'll the mahogany slab,
which is the basis of the decoration.
These have their wings inlaid with
mother of pearl. In their hands they
hold decorative ribbons, whose folds
show on me side ivory, on the other
pearl. >. 60,
ON another slab i carved in relief the
figure of a sea goddess in her chariot,
drawn by sea lions. On the base OF the
slab sits a naiad holding u shell and sur
rounded by seawceds and sheil-fiSh.
Above, the earth is typitied by reclln-
Ing figure and child with tlower-pot
The chariot is TO be inlaid i'll ivory, and
the wave forms suggested by pearl.
Probably the most luxurious panel Is
large oblong. In the centre Is u con-
ventional floral ornament inlaid with
pearl. Over this, in slender curvinS
letters of ivory standing in bold relief, Is
the date OferectiOn in Roman numerals.
On each side is wreath ofcOlOred mar
Bile with berries of coral. Surrounding
this beautiful decoration Is garland Ill
a peculiar greeniSh composition, and the
whole is framed in q spear and egg de
sign carved in old oak. In another cell
ing are panels Of canvas Overlaid with
gold. On one of these is painted the fig
ure ola woman in classic draperies, stand
ing among bOughs of ripe apples. On
corresponding panel is Il female figure
among lightcr-hued foliage playing a
musical instrument. Both of these are
inclosed in T-shapcd frames of gilt.
One of the chief sources of decoration
now is found in stained glass. To &C
company some of the above described
panels are glass doors. Among there
are four arched panels set with jewels,
as they are called, in branching forms
suggested by japanese treatment.
These Jewels are in great part OpaleScent,
but vivified by neighbOring jewels OF
brilliant color. These are in pressed
glass and stand out in relief which
renders them effective also by gas light.
Some of the most interesting pieces OF
glass mOsaics are four panels for nursey
windows. These are not only beautiful
in color, but ingeniOusly designed to ex-
cite the childish mind to discover the
forms. These are also Japanese i'll
treatment. One suggests landscape.
In the distance is mountain and at its
base a river, from which the mist is ris-
ing. In the foreground are fields and
trees and a white house half sheltered
bya tree. In this there Is nothing
realistic, and only i'll time the different
features of the picture disclose their
meaning. Another window shows in
mosaies bird perChed among cherry
blossoms, and on third is decoration
of morning glories set i'll flat tints broken
by lines of color wherewith to charm
the bright eyes for whom they are de-
SipnPd