The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-09
THE STEWART MANSION.
The Tapestries and 0rnamentations in the
Principal Rooms of the Marble Mansion.
New York Herald.

New York Herald.
As the carved rosewood doors roll to behind
the visitor his steps are arrestedat the threshold
by the enchanting vista which stretches to the
picture-ga gallery, the open entrance to which faces
him. The hallway is cruciform At the center
four galleries of art hard to parallel in this coun-
try for magnifcence in architectural construc-
ton, artistic decoration aud superb furnishings,
feast and ill the eye, not alone by the individual
Eattractions of the valuable collection of paint
ngs, statuary, bronzes, ornaments of brass and
rare and costly ceramics which they contain, but
by exquisite harmony
Many famous marbles are grouped here and
familiar among them, by exhibition or world
wide celebrity, stand the stately 'Demosthenes,"
from the hands of Crawford Hosmer's Zen
obia, queenly, even though loaded with chains,
and Rogers's ''Nydia," her garment tossed by the
storm of destruction, recalling all her pathetic
story
A great clock of polished Scotch marble, upon
the top of which stands figure of bronze, in the
fingers of which the great pendulum slowly
swings, tells times flight in tinkling numbers as
the hours drift slowly into the cycle OF eternity.
In the centre of the hallway is a great vase OF
hammered brass, fashioned in succession of
basins, filled with cut flowers and trailing vines.
The stairway rises to the left of the center of
the hall and winds UP flight after fight to the
softly tinted dome. It is of solid, cleaning
marble, and its massive outlines are in bold
relief to the clustering gems of art at its base.
At each story wide and lofty hall breaks from
its graceful curve, new delight in artistic
rangements of paintings, statues and vases.
The doors of the different apartments are of
solid rosewood and slide into the walls.
The doorways are all draped with plush por-
there's, trimmed with wide bands of gold ap-
L.:
mony with the frescoes and uses of the several
apartments For example, the grand dining
room, at the left of the entrance, is draped with
peacock blue portieres. the reverse side terra
Gotta, embroidered with grotesque heads and
scrolls supporting hagons. These bands are very
elegant In detail, and repeat the idea of the gen.
eral decorations of ceiling and walls in this
charming ROOM
Even the curtains and carpets are part Of
perfect whole, close inspection will discover
a reflex in the minor designs. The furniture is
rosewood ana Gobelin tapestry. Rosewood buff
fets. one blaze of crystal and gilt, divide the
honors with the dining table, covered with an
embroidered crimson plush cloth, upon which
rests crystal and gilt table service III great pro-
fusion.
Above a low marble mantle, ornamented with
silver gilt service gilt sconces and lovely Dres-
den vases, carved female figures rise on either
side of a great mirror the polished surface of
which is a reflex of all the triheS that CLINT and
glitter there. From a clock, model of the
Strasburg Cathedral in gilt ormolu, the soft
chimes ring mellow cadence. Here is lovely
bronze, q "Florentine youth testing his raper.'
the pose of the figure the perfection of ease and
gracefulness. Two ebony figures of Nubian
women. with gaylv coored tunics and turbans
studded with stones, hold aloft lamps. the soft
light falling from the tinted globes and breaking
into play million prismatic colors from the
delicate and fragile crystal strewn every side.
From the dining-room you step into the break
fast-room, still on the left of the entrance Here
the portieres and curtains of blush green
color, the bands embossed with dragons and
scrolls, running into conventional designs of
fruits and flowers. An ornatey carved white
marble mantel nigh in the center and low on
each side, supports wide mirror, bronze clock
and side ornaments, above a low crate glowing
with a camel coal fire, which flashes sudden
CLEAN upon the rich silver that waits service
the Bullets. Here and there marble bust upon
a pedestal, a tall vase, an etagere for silver or
objects of vertu, give an air of homelike ease to
this quet-toned room.
To the right of the entrance is a reception
room, the portieres and curtains being more
delicate in tone, as the frescoes, carpets and
furniture are in light colors. Among the num-
erous pictures that hang in this room
are Hamlet and Ophelia," by Merle, and Bon
themselves works of art, are covered with costly
bric-a-brac Tripods aud pedestals support
bronzes and busts, arranged with excellent Of
feet and thrown into high relief by the tinted
DdCkSFOuuu OIL TlCu upholstery. lQ0r0 Is q
golden bronze, LA Patricienne;" the name be-
ing fully exemplifed in the delicate curve of the
nostril, the dainty ear and the proud poise of
the finely modelled head. "La Fiancee' and
'The Bride" are lovely companion basts in mar
bile. A marvelously embroidered screen, a
cushion, an easy chair, gifts from cherished
friends find place and give a careless elegance
and an aroma of occupation to this tasteful
apartment
Directly opposite. and on the right hand across
fho hall fha last roef ha mi
form, is the MUSHROOM. The decorations of
the portieres and curtains are In harmony
with the frescoes and symbolical of musical in
struments. The Tyre, the lutte and the pipes of
Pan, caught in intricate scrolls, with dancing
faun and nymph, gladden. the GOODNESS of color
ing and furnishing in this room, the effect Of
which would otherwise be sombre from the rose
wood and ebony that prevail grand piano,
with an deliberately EN- brodered scarf of plush
thrown over 1T; cabinets, adorned with costly
vases, richly embroidered and upholstered for
winter; and. over ALL the Pickering fitful CLEAN
of wood fire that burns upon the hearth, light
ing up the bronzes either side the wide fire.
place, and throwing a CHEEKY glow upon the
many and rich pictures the walls, complete
this luxurious nook
Occupying the entire front on Fifth avenue is
the grand reception-room. 1t is symphony in
dead gold Gold tinted satin curtains are gath
cred back from the rich lace draperies at the
windows. The furniture is gilt upholstered in
gold -colored satin; the portieres gold. colored
plush, reversed with crimson.
delightful bit of coloring is added by the in
PRODUCTION of two cabinets in crimson plush,
with gilt trimmings, having plate glass fronts,
and containing frail and priceless treasures in
Sevres, enamel crystal gilt, silver and carved
ivory ornaments. One of the most artistic
pieces of furniture is chair in pale blue satin.
with cluster of blush roses painted uron it, the
work of a friend. and exqusitely executed
Poised upon polished shafts of marble or ONYX,
here and there, a marble bust CLEANS in its
purity of outline against the golden setting.
A whole chapter of mythology is craven on the
beveled edge of a magnificent table of Mexican
onyx and gilt So many knick knacks are upon
it, all so rare and costly. SO delicate in design
and so frail to look upon that they seem the
work of fairy fingers in the myriad forms and
colors they possess.
AT the four corners of the room gilt Candida