The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-06-21
Another Notable Addition to the
Attractions of + Street.
JAPANESE ART EMPORIUM.
The Handsome Building Fitted Up
by Mr.. Kimon NicoIaides.
An Exterior Artistica1ly Adorned and
Interior Filled with Rare and
Costly Curios, Exquisite Old Vases
and Bric-a-brac and Rugs of the
Finest Design and Workmanship.

The most recent addition to the architect
ural attractiveness of that busy thoroughfare
street, is the building No. 1905, which Mr..
Kimon Nicolardes has had remodeled, and in
which his Saratoga Japanese Emporium" is
now located. The premises have been reftted
from top to bottom, and when they are form
ally opened to the public the first of this week,
they will be unsurpassed in the magniicence
OF their furnishings by any business house in
this city. The new building-for practically it
is new-rises four stories above the pavement,
and in its grandeur stands out prominently
among the business houses of that vicinity.
The front, which is 25 feet broad, is of pressed
brick, which contrasts in q striking manner
with the ebony and gold finish to all the iron
and woodwork which decorate the exterior
On the first floor the entire front, with the ex-
ceptlon of entrances on either side of it, is util
lied as show window of large proportions
The handsome plate-glass bears, in neat gold
letters, the inscription, "Kimon NicolaYdes'
Saratoga Japanese Emporium" These win
dows are surmounted by panels of expensive
stained glass, worked in an ingenious and
elaborate design. Above the show windows on
level with the second story and running
across the entire front of the building, is an
iron balcony, painted to represent ivory inlaid
with gold.
TWO RARE OLD JAPANESE LAMPS
Each end of this balcony is ornamented
with colossal japanese lamp, valued at
$1,000. These lamps are genuine antique
curios. Mr. Nicolafdes was offered, but re-
fused, 81, 600 for them by a large New York i'm
porting establishment. Their duplicates do
not exist in this country. They are seven
feet in height and weigh over 300 pounds
each. They are constructed of porcelain, and
from their design authorities on such subjects
place the date of their make 200 years ago,
and most of this time they embellished the
interior of temple in Japan. Four electric
lncandescent lamps are so arranged about
these massive curios as to brilliantly illuminate
them. The effect is very handsome, and
at night attracts much attention from those
passing by. Between the lamps the space is
occupied by number of potted plants and
palms, which add their beauty to the hand
some appearance of the premises
EXPENSIVE AND ARTISTIC SIGNS.
Across the front of the balcony in large
block-shaped gold letters is the sign 'Orien-
tai lmportations.o Between the second and
third and third and fourth stories are two other
signs similar in character, which read, s'1205-
Kimon Ncolaides-1205' and "Saratopa
japanese Emporium" When Mr.. NicolaIdes
ordered these signs he gave the builder but
one instruction. They were to be the finest
signs in the city. Without doubt the order
has been faithfully carried out The three
signs cost $3.50. On the roof is a tall iron
railing, which gives pleasing finish to this
beautiful example of mute business architect
ure. A flagstaff surmounts the whole struct-
ure, from which floats large white flag with
"Nicolaides" worked in blue letters. The
rebuilding, though under the direct superVi-
sion of Mr.. NicolaIdes, has been done by Mr..
X. II. Bontz, the contractor.
SOME QUICK WORK
Mr.. Nicolaides obtained possession of the
premises on the 10Th of April and three
minutes after the keyswere turned over to him
he had men at work clearing away those
portions of the old structure which he wished
to rebuild. The cost of the renovation was
between $1,000 and $4,000.
A BEAUTIFUL INTERIOR
The fine appearance of the front of the new
store is excelled, however, by the magnifcence
of the interior. The entire first floor, 25xSO
feet in extent, will be utilized as showroom
where the highest class of japanese goods and
Turkish rugs will be exhibited The rooms
and ceilings are papered with japanese leather
paper which Mr.. NicolaIdes imported at a cost
of 5000 especially for this purpose 1t was
placed on the walls by w. b. Moses q Sons
at cost of $3.50 and is acknowledged
by wallpaper experts to be the finest
piece of work in the city. Two colors
are used, a silvery gray and golden
bronze. The designs on the paper are unique
and are curiosities in themselves. Along the
west wall are two and along the east wall are