Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-09-15
A WONDERFUL PIECE OF MOSAIC.
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| radio Contrasting Over 5000 Pieces
In the parlor of Letter Carrier George
w. Gero's house ON Colchester avenue in
TINS city stands table of wood mosaic work
which has attracted many visitors since its
| completion short time ago. The plans
were begun by Mr. Zero several years since,
and no worked upon the design in leisure
| hours as recreation; but az tho scheme
| developed no throw his whole mind into the
| take, frequently working all night and into
the early morning hours. Ilo estimates
| that the whole undertaking has cost him ak
years and six months OF tino beside d con-
| siderable sum of money necessary to collect
MS materials; and he can now show with
| just pride Il table which is delight to any
lover OF the beautiful as we'll as the nntur-
alist and historian.
Upon standard Of graceful antique de-
sign, consisting OF four solid lion fronts,
carved IN cherry terminating in scroll work,
rest the top, which measures 50 by 20
! inches, and contains no less than 80. GIG
pieces. These pieces Mr.. Gcro has secured
from every country in the world and from
many localities where great scenes of his
tory have been enacted. Inside of tho two
and half inch border of block work Ia an
inner, border one-half inch wido, two sides OF
which contain 5000 minute blocks one.six-
IecHJn Oh an lncn square.
At the lower right land corner is q rect.
angle j! by - inches, composed of 1900
pieces placed Oh edge, each piece I OF an
men long and thinner than fine tissue ppper.
In the lower left hand corner is a right tri-
angle Of eight-pointcd stars SO arranged as
to give raised effect. Above this is
tulip bud, and on the upper left hand cor
ner partly opened fan with a b.ossoming
vine trailod aroung the outside edge. Tie
upper right hand corner is occupied by Il
rose in bloom, fashioned in dark red woods.
Ihl5 Is executed with especial care aud is
perfect mosaic imitation of the natural
Hover. Above the centre is a space with
the appearance OF raised block work made
OF ebony, amarantn and variegated woods
Below the centre is space occupied by
squares OF crazy work in nearly every i'm
agnable color of wood the squares being
bounded by lines Of white holly with black
walnut discs at each corner. The design of
the centre is beautiful stone church
modelled somewhat after the Co lego street
church OF Burlington. The amaranth walls
are very good imitation of tho brown
stone quarricd from Wizards ledge. The
stained glass window is al exquisite piece
OF work, yet apparently no loss care has
been expended on each one of the hundreds
+
ter pierces sky OF cured maple
Among the rare woods used in the worl,
are sections of leopard wood from Iudia.
coco-boa from South America, rosewood
from Central America cedar of Lebanon
Mexican mahogany, African ebony, granite
wood from the Azores, bloodwood from the
forests on the Taurus mountains, locality
not fer from ancient Cesarea and the hand
some mott.ed betal-nut WOOD from the royal
gardens of the miI.ado.
But perhaps The most interesting feature
Of the table lies in the historical suggestions
recalled By number OF squares which are
grouped about the corners Here is n
fragment that on March 5, 1869, in the side
OK the brave ship Cumberland, vibra:ed to |
the crash OF the Merrmac's ram and sank
VITA lUO men into that silence of the deep |
which followed the pivotal naval battle Of
the rebelliou and here section from a
tree around which ragged tue first days bat
tie at Gettysburg, Seminary Ridge.
Another piece was taken from one OF the |
supports OF Libby prison, and another from
a tree on tho battlefield Of IN tietam.
There are also several relics OF the revo- |
luton, one Of which laid in the hull of the |
Royal Savage from the day when she was |
sunk III battle oif Nalcour Island in Lake |
Nuub paul " Tue SUMO Gay lIO years later, |
whsn diver first disturbed the ancient |
wreck and brought UP number Of tirnbe-s |
for relics. There is also u section from the |
British transport ship Somerset which |
toundered off Cape Cod while bringing over
a cargo Of reicoats for the subjugation Of
the colonies, the $50, however, being hosp!-
tably rescued and marched to Boston as
prisoners Of war. Now tho piece from this
ship hob-nobs with II piece Of the staunch
old American ship "Const!tution, " aud near
these two is fixed section of white lilac
taken from venerable bush in the gardens
at Mount Vernon, which is preserved with
religious care in memory OF the hand that
planted it. Together with these relics of |
great men and scenes Of modern times is
one square OF olive from tree as near tie
spot Of the crucifxion as could be deter
mined.
The table as a whole is a work of art
which shows an almost incredible amount
OF skill, genius and patience on the part of
Its maker, and one will hardly wonder at
the comment Of a certain gentleman who
inspected it, when lie said "Mr. Gero, |
have seen many wonderful things in the art
centres OF Europe-the Louvre OF Paris.
the great museums of Munich and many Of
tho royal palaces, but | think can truth
fully say that you have the fGest table in
tho world"
In Ar-n