Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-05

From the Collector. March l.
Possibly the largest and most valuable collec-
ton Of tapestry in this country is that of Mr..
Charles NJ. Ffoulke of Pennsylvania. who
spends his winters in Washington with his
family. He has lately added large gallery to
mis- handsome house on Massachusetts avenue
to accommodate his treasures. The house was
fairly lined with them before he secured the
famous Barberini collection some two wears
ago. Among several Flemish tapestries of the
sixteenth century is one from the Buonsignori
Palace, Sienna. 1t is about twelve feet square,
and represents, says tradition, "Charlemagne
Growing One of His Feudatories." Com
panion pieces represent Dame in the brazen
tower. In one Jupiter visits her a shower of
gold; in the other she is seen caressing her
infant son, Perseus, held in the arms of a
female attendant. These tapestries are of silk
and wool in fine state Of preservation and
fine colors. Another large piece of the same
period represents Cleopatra, gorgeously at
tired and attended by her maids, appearing
before the Emperor Augustus. Another shows
the rescue of Andromeda by Perseus. In
Italian renaissance tapestry are three especially
tine pieces. One represents the king and queen
of Lombardy at an deliberately spread table in
the open air, waited upon by several servants.
One shows in gorgeous colorings. among other
things, the coat of-arms Of the Colonnas The
third, quite large, depicts the reconciliation of
the Emperor Constantine with his enemies,
piece of French tapestry made at Beauyais
in the latter half of the sixteenth century is
of silk, about thirteen feet wide by ten feet
high. and shows an autumnal scene in rich
cOloring. Ceres, the principal figure, bears
wheat and flowers and Is accompanied by other
goddesses laden with various fruits, &c Two
Gobelin pieces, made almost entirely OF silk
threads, are nearly ten feet high by eight feet
wide. They were presented to the reisnius
sovereign OF one Of the German states and
haar <hsaa 49, 20,
each has magnificent medallion of flowers.
In one Cupid rides the sea on an Amphora
and in the other the god of love sails in a tiny
boat The borders are Of INTERVENING branches
Of oak, with wreaths Of ivy tied with ribbons.
In the spaces everywhere appear the emblem
made.
Mrs. George Hearst has a number of rare
hanglngs and valuable old prayer rugs and tap
estries in her beautiful new house in Washing
ton, which was SO sadly closed almost before it
was finishedby the long illness and death of
Senator Hearst. One Of the largest pieces is
1.-THE Recounter," a superb battle piece of rich
coloring and fine work. The border is COM
posed Of implements Of war, drums, DC. A
small and very lovely piece shows a group of
cupids at play.
In the new winter residence of Mr.. Albert
Clifford Barney, in the same city, is q large
piece Of italian renaissance tapestry, in which
a triumphal car bears peace and Plenty"
through q land teeming with evidences of pros
perity. Mrs John w. Foster has, among many
curious and interesting things picked up while
her husband was minister TO Mexico, Spain
and Russia, some small but fine old bits of tap
estry, which would fall to pieces If not framed.
The colors are still wonderfully good. They
came from some Of the old Mexican converts
or churches. and it is hard to tell Just how old
they are Mr.. r. r. Hit Of Illinois has some
valuable pieces picked up abroad. Mrs. Sena-
tor Stanford has q number Of rare tapestries
among the art treasures in her winter home in
the same city.