The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-06
EDITOR CHILDs's DINNER-sET.
Quite Nice Fortune Invested In Silver,
China and Glassware.

Quite a Nice Fortune Invested In Silver,
China and Glassware.
Philadelphia Record.
Mr. George W. Childs's dinner table, as it APP
pears when set for banquet of dozen courses,
has been made the subject of full page illustra-
ton IN a New England magazine devoted to the
interests of the higher life of the household The
picture Is beautifully executed, showing the
table standing IN palatial dining-room of Mr..
tJhiIdSs marble mansion, ard aDiaZe with the
glitter OF the superb collections of glass, china.
and silver and gilt candelabra that have made it
renowned as one of the most magnifcently fur
nished and hospitable boards in the United
States. The entire table service owned by Mr..
Chlids IS estimated to be worth between $40, 600
and 800 600. and he has been collecting it for up
ward of fifteen years. Only n small portion of
this great collection can, of course be used at
one time; but, as was the case'when the table
was set to have its picture taken, or
when some distinguished guest is being
entertained, the choicest gems selected
and artistically arranged. and the result, as
beneath the soft light of scores of waxen candles,
is almost indescribable. The cloth on such occa-
sions is of a heavy material from the "Vala of
Cashmere" OF the richest scarlet and heavily en-
broidered and fringed with gold bullion. In the
center is a mirror lake. four feet long by three
feet wide, and above it stands a center
piece in richly CHASED silver gilt. vasi-
form, and finished at the top with
generally prefers to have filed with rare and
beautiful flowers instead of tapers. 1t has gilt
open-work border Of a graceful floral design
standing three inches above the mirror in which
it is reflected. At either end are exquisitely
designed candeabra in gilt and silver, which
stand nearly two feet in height and hold num-
Der OF lights, being also draped with fower-be-
spanged vines
Standing by the eandelabra at one end of the
table is a silver wine-cooler, with four raised
nlc af rYiAc nd kn n
ing article at the opposite extremity is crystal
bowl, fifteen inches in diameter and nearly as
high. used for flowers. This and its companion
in another city are the finest pieces of glass yet
made by any American manufacturer, and for
beauty and perfection of cutting they are un-
excelled. The work was done by Thomas
Hawkes., the great-grandson of that Mr.. Hawkes.
who first introduced cut-glass into England. The
profusion of crystal upon the table in the shape
OF exquisite carafes. compete, fruit and bonbon
stands, low and high and with or without silver
bases. is a revelation of the stage to which glass
cutting is carried in the United States.
But all nations are represented. Claret jugs
and wine glasses from Bohemia and set of
larettumblers from Carlsbad, ornately enameled
with sprays, flowers and butterflies in gilt,
crimson aud blue give dashes of coloring and
variety of form to the profuse and varied service.
Amid the collection of crystal is set Of Bohe-
milan champagne glasses. which are SO unique
and beautiful as to challenge universal admira
The silver objects on the table so numer
Gus that only few can be mentioned, perhaps
the most interesting being the coronet of that
wise and witty English Peer and statesman,
Lord Broughtvn, which has been made to do
duty as the ornamental base of @ crystal fig
holder.
Another odd bit is a silver bottle shaped like
an o al copied from one in the British Museum
esnecally for Mr.. Childs. and there are several
novel bottle cases wrought in the same precious
metal.
But it Is in thA vast stores of valuable porce-
lain that the collection is wonderfully rich,
and the crown jewel of the lot is a maryelously-
large and splendid set of Minton ware made
with especial care and decorated with exquisite
daintiness and good taste. The design for the
plates, which are in keeping with every object
in the set, is gilt band about half an inch wide
ivory ground, looped with garlands of
brilliantly -hued flowers, tiny in size but perfect
in shape. Mr. ChildsS monogram, wrought in
the same delicate flower, occupies the centre of
the plate
Other sets of plates show nothing but Ash,
others only birds or flowers, while there are sew
eral harlequin sets, in which each plate is en-
trely different from any of its fellows and each
is a veritable gem. In that storehouse Of wealth.
the china closet, which is a eood-sized room Of
itself, are arranged scores Of dozens of beauti-
full plates. of every size and for every
use. Many are of plain colors, but
the majority show some beautiful designs
Sharing tie same shelves are dozens of coffee
and tea cups that have been brought from every
part of the world where the potter and the artist
unite their skill In intrinsic value this great
collection far exceeds the estimate placed upon
it above for many of the pieces have associations
that give them additional worth. while others
could not be reproduced save bv the expenditure
Of a dozen times their original cost