The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-08-13

In cuios and bric-a-brac the number of
silver articles is legion. The greatest
manufacturing center is Canton; but
Annoy Fuchau, Ganking and Picking pos
sesses artists and guilds whose workman
ship is famous over the empire. Hours
may prOfitably be spent in studying the
designs OF these eastern artificers One
class OF these consists Of miniature repro
ductions Of features of daily life and is
adapted for earrings, watch charms,
pendants and bangle attachments. Among
the more familir objects are the pagoda,
sampan Tor native boat, Junk, the sedan
chair, the small-footed lady's shoe, the
Goddess of Mercy, the Celestial Poodle,
the King Of the Fishes, the sit
ting Buddha, the dragon, the flying ser.
pent, the begging bonze, the tiger, lion,
horse pig, buffalo, elephant, turtle, croco-
die monkey, cat, and dog The largest
does not exceed inches in length; from
this size they diminish to dainty little OBJ
jects no larger than grain OF corn The
work and finish are admirable, the fea-
lures and hair of the human beings and
animals, the scales of fish and crocodiles,
and the marking of the turtles carapace
being reproduced with the highest care
and skill
SPUN SILVER CoRDAGB.
Another class consists of imitation
cordage. The metal is solid, but the sur
face Is so cleverly wrought out that OF
first sight each piece seems o rope,
crocheted cord, or braid. Some are fine
as sewing silk, while others are as thick
as clotheslines. The silver is alleged
with small percentage Of copper to in
crease its hardness and to allow the fine
carving and craving impossible in the
softer substance Of pure silver These
silver cords are used for bracelets, ank-
lets, necklaces, belts, sword hangings,
and horses harness. Though stiT, they
are not rigid and can be bent in any direc-
tion. They may be made into knots and
united without breaking.
A third class comprises household or
naments, such as match boxes, ash
cups, joss sticks, bowls, sandalwood
boxes, and so on without end 1t
is Of the same general type and
about the same value as those made in
America and Europe A fourth-class in
cludes hlagree work and tissues made
from fine silver-ware, and is marked by
the highest skill and beauty. 1t is fay
orite kind of work among the Chinese
and has been for centuries. There is but
little doubt that Marco Polo brought spe-
cimens of it to Europe from Marking and
in this manner aided in the after develop
ments Of the guilds Of Italy and France.
The designs at times are simply marve-
lous. One from Fuchau consisted OF q
bouquet, over which was loosely wrapped
silken veil II was 50 perfectly made
that the veil looked as if it might blow
away at any moment Through its filmy
folds the flowers and leaves were all visi-
bic, Another artistic gem was a little
bouquet in which ferns, lilies Of the val
ley, and similar botanical beauties were
perfectly photographed in metals.
A POINTER FOR AMERICANS.
A custom of the Chinese trade deserves
mention In selling his goods the Mon
golian merchant in silverware gives the
weight of the metal, its fneness, and its
value as bullion; and then as a separate
item the cost Of the workmanship. Thus
one day, In purchasing a pair Of corded
bracelets, my bill ran as follows: Silver
(41 ounces IS per cent. fine), S420
(Mexican) workmanship, S215; total,
$685. (Mexican) The first item is math-
ematically correct and can be depended
upon as the intrinsic value Of the mate
rial used in its manufacture.