The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-04-08
CEMETERY ART.
REQUIREMENTS OF FASHION" IN
TOMeSTONEs AND MONUMENTS.
The Low, Broad, Flat Stone More POpu-
lar Than the Tall PiIlar-Granite
and HIarbIe-Figures and
Quaint Devices.
Kew York Sun

New York SUM-
~There is very rarely any material
change in what may be called the fashion
of tombstUnes and monuments a monu-
ment cutter said The work becomes
more artistic. but does not materially
alter in design We have still the low,
broad, fat stone, lending an idea OF
strength and solidity rather than beauty,
although many Of the stones are very
handsome They are, perhaps even
more popular than the tall pillars, but
that may be due to the fact that they are
less expensive. Still, some of the richest
men in the country have placed them
over their family grave plots, Jay Gould
among others, although his is unusually
graceful for a heavy stone. Some are
simply large blocks of granite, or, it may
be, marble, without anything in the shape
of carving to relieve their somber appear
apce except the smooth place where the
name is cut, or, more ordinarily, placed
in raised letters. That is the old style
and it still holds its own.
But another kind Of fat stone is be-
coming popular. The ponderous appear
ance is lessened by having the upper pert
supported by granite pillars instead of the
customary blocks of stone, and various
devices in carving tend TO lend grace and
beauty to the monument The fat stone
is not usually of polished granite In the
rugged is supposed, and if the stone were
highly polished (and granite takes far
higher polish than marble), the effect
would be marred aud the design incon-
sistent. Figures of life are very seldom
carved on the fiat stones, as they would
have to be either very short or placed in
horizontal position. The fiat stones are
generally over vaults, but not uncom-
monty we are ordered to place one of
them over a single grave
1.-The pillar or obelisk style of monu-
ment ranges usually from fifteen to twenty
feet in height They are generally of cut,
but not polished. granite, the only part
polished being the space where the name
or inscription is carved. The old style
of heavy, broad pillar with an obelisk
top still prevails, but taller more slender
and more artistic columns are finding
favor. They are embellished with all
sorts of designs, and the art of the sculp
tor, as well as his patience, is often taxed
to the utmost to produce a statue that has
no meaning, and should have no exist
ence, except in the brain of the wealthy
owner of the monument. a small figure
on the top, so high up that its features
can hardly be distinguished, but which
are supposed to bear some resemblance to
those of the person whose remains are
entombed below, is common weakness.
"A figure of life, or even heroic size,
however, is often placed upon the sum-
NIT of the pillar and this, if we'll exc
cuted. and in harmony with the structure
it stands upon, has fine effect although
1t gives the column, perhaps, too much
the appearance of a public monument.
But fine statuary is usually placed nearer
to the ground, and very quaint devices
find expression in it Greenwood and
Woodlawn cemeteries, especially the
former are rich in curious, eccentric, and
beautiful designs-for we can not dictate.
All we can do is to follow the Instructions
given us, and if we are required to put
upon thes pillar a lamb, a giant, a dwarf,
or lady in voluminous skirts, our bust
ness is to do it in the best style we can.
"Square-shaped and round, three cor
nered and huted, rough cut and, on rare
occasions, even polished granite or mar
BILE pillars are used. The broken column
is very popular design 1t is usually
about eight feet high, and round. 1t is
often polished to give greater effect to the
rugged irregular top, where it is sup
posed to have been broken off For the
most part pillars of all kinds stand uron
a square stone pedestal, but at times we
are required to erect a slender column
straight from the ground This has a
quaint and rather pleasing effect Flat
stones are often placed in position over a
Vault long before the death of any men,
Der of family. Pillars are very rarely
erected unUl somebody's remains nave
been deposited below. A pillar is usu-
ally intended to commemorate one per
son. A flat monument may cover "a
whole family.
1--WE have ceased for some time to i'm
port graveyard designs from Italy or else
where One reason for this is that all the
finest work of Italian sculptors is in mar
bic, and Italian marble will by no means
stand the wear and tear of our varying
climate. In few years its creamy white
ness turns to an ugly grayish mud color,
and dark veins appear upon it Finally,
it begins to chip and crumble, and be-
comes an unsightly object Italian gran
lite will not bear our climate. 1t has been
ri