Telegram-herald., 1891-12-16
CURIOS AND CERAMICS.
An Inte<estins Collection Recently Sold
at Auction.


at Auction.
In noting the great variety Of teapots,
kettles, caddies and cups and saueers
displayed in an old collection of bric-a-
brac recently, the writer was forced to
conclude that tea making must have
been quite as popular and fashionable
an occupation in the days of our great
grandmothers and must have been at
tended by quite as artistic surround
ings as at the present time. The coli
lection referred to, says the Chicago
Herald, was the property of the late
Mrs. C. L. A. Tank, wealthy Holland
lady who recently die9 at Fort Howard
at the advanced age of eighty-seyen
years Her husband and only child
having died many years ago, the bulk
of her fortune was bequeathed to mis-
sionary work. in which she had always
manifested great interest In accordance
with the provisions of the will her i'm
mcnse collection of curios, comprising
pottery, crystal. cut glass, brasses, cop
perware and antique furniture. is being
disposed of at auction at Green Bay.
The china includes few pieces of the
celebrated Delft ware and other ancient
and highly-prized potteries. There are
also few examples Of crown Derby
and Wedgcwood, besides quantities of
Holland, japanese and Indian wares.
Curio hunters from all over the country
were in attendance upon this sale.
Although many articles sold very
reasonably, others, which to the
uneducated eye, at least, ap-
of clay, brought fabulous prices.
Among the gems of the collection were
a pair of crystal bottles trimmed with
gold filigrce, with enamcled shoppers.
The enamel representations were diff
ferent, one showing st. Marks cathe-
dral at Venice, the other the Pantheon
at Rome. Among the numerous pieces
in blue and white ware were some fra
gile cups and saucers which were very
old and rare. An enthusiastic art coll
lector of Chicago, who came especially
TO attend the sale, placed the value Of
these tiny cups ut ten dollars and twelve
dollars each. The collection of kettles
alone is large enough TO FIJI an average
sized junk shop. There are kettles of
brass, copper and pewter, kettles with
legs and kettles with dat bottoms.
Many of these, together with other
quantity shaped pieces in brass, copper
aud pewter. have been captured by a
young artist. Thus far the pieces of
cut glass, Bohemian glass and crystal
have sold very much under value. A
charming covered dish with ladle and
deep saucer. all in fine and deep cut
ting, brought only ten dollars and could
not be duplicated for twice that amount
Several tea sets have found ready pur-
chascrs, but in spite of the hundreds Of
dollars worth of china sold there seems
TO be very little diminution Of the stock.
None OF the furniture has yet been
offered large and he rrdsone inlaid
wardrobe is very antique in appear
ance and has msny admirers. Mrs.
Tank Is known TO have refused an offer
of five hundred dollars for this piece oi
maruuetry few years ago. Although
the wardrobe is, perhaps. tho most con
spicuous article of furniture. there arc
many others which are almost equally
desirable, including wall cabinets.
shelves. stands. etc The greater part
Of the silver viii he melted and dis
posed II in that form, much 20 the re
gret Of many who had been hoping tc
get possession Of some Of these antiqus
pieces This Is In accordance with Mrs
Tanks expressed wish. The collection
originally contained . number Of hns
pictures Some Of these have beer
given 20 the State Historical society
others have been sent 70 Chicago and
some few vill be sold at this saction-
p~1eft FER = Family.
A benefit dance WI be gwen n
f-beifer hsll tomorrow evening. ths
proceeds - ~ e ven to tue family oi
Adolph GFeHiIea.