The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-04-28
A PALACE IN NORFOLK.
A Magnificent and Attractive Build
ing,
A SCENE OF RARE BRllLIANCY,
A Full Description of the Same. Joe
Seelinger's Great Enterprise. An
Unrivalled Establishment That
ELECTS Admiration and AS
tonishment. II is Gem.

On the south side of Main street, lust
two doors east of the Purcell House,
one comes upon smooth granolithic
sidewalk anu bis attention Is at once
drawn TO the massive granite structure
III Roman architecture, which towers
above ,G majestic soiidity and seeming
~ in defiance OF the wear of time.
Almost uucousciously you are drawn
TO the huge brass rail which protects
the large plate glass window, through
which you look upon work OF art.
The floor OF this window is finished IN
mosaio in " design most beautiful, and
il u credit to the designer. From the
centre OF this gem OF handiwork rises
real bronze pillar of electric lights and
imitation candles, which arc lighted
with gas. Behind this mosaic and pillar
OF lights rises u magnificent picoe of
cabinet work, which serves as IL buca to
the window. This Is made OF solid
mahogany mouldings,;with plate glass
mirror panels and handsomely hand.
carved cornlce.
After seeing this display of grandeur
enc cannot resist the temptation to
enter aud feast his eyes on more Of
the achievements by artists and me
ehanics OF the perfection of work in
wood, stone aud metal. AS you are
about to enter you step upon another
design III mosaic, the floor of the
vestibule IN which design IL worked III
tiny pieces OF stone, ali cut TO iii per
fectly, the name OF the proprietor,
Jos. Seeliuger. Here one coufrouts
the most artistic pair of vestbule doors
imaginable, the figures are of ma
hogauy, upon which many weary hours
have been spent by the carver, but his
reward Is III the satisfaction OF know.
ing that his laboIs are appreciated by
the hundreds of people, who gaze III
admiration at the marvellous beauty lie
has carved into wood. The upper
pauels i'll these doors are II climax III
glass work. the design is cut, aud they
Also bear III heavily cut letters the
name OF the resort 1.-The Onyx
Hanging from the ceiling OF this vesti
bule is a mounting OF FURNISHED bronze
and two opalescent bulbs one above
the other, each encasiug MI electric
light, which makes II beautiful effect
upon the lovely and ornamental tran
som, which Is dazzling arrangement
of loaded glass.
Passing the vestlbule and stepping
inside the cafe You are rs one trnus
United to some foreign aud ancient
city. which to you seems but dream.
You thlnk surely there can be nothing
yourself Ill one of the ancient temples
The whole floor is IN mosaic. III
which there are about 800, 900 separate
pieces OF stone, i'll various colors, and
each little piece was stuck into its foun
datlon of cement one at n time by
hand
To the left, beginning at the win
dow, is the desk with ornamental
screen, then the cigar case, which is
made Of mahogany frame aud heavy
beveled. edge plate glass. Next d small
space for passing. aud then the grand
and massive bar fixture, which Is OF
solld mahogany, pure Mexican onyx,
aud French plate mirrors. The wood
work is magnificent The panels md
mouldings are profusely carved 10y hand
and the columns are all polished Mexi
can onyx. There Is no question as 10
this being the finest fixture of its kind
III America.
Between this fixture and the lunch
counter, which is identically the same.
Is beautiful refrigerator. This Is also
solid mahogany, with panels OF Mexican
onyx. These two fixtures extend back
nifty seven feet to partition. which is
a great piece OF work. 1t Is pane!eu
and moulded in mahogany, with onyx
columns. IN the centre of each side vi
1he partition ls an alcove, in each of
which stands vase of decorated Dres
den ware, which are among the finest
pieces of art china ever imported to
This country. The partition has panels
OF French plate mirror and two large
panels near the top made IN beautiful
designs of loaded glass. The partition
rs surmounted by au arch which spans
the entrance to the billiard room. On
each side. at the base of the arch, is
the head .of a griffin carved from ma
hogany. The side wall opposite the
fixtures has wainscotiug OF polished
French end Italian marble III panels,
above which, to the height of twelve
feet, are mahogany frames md plate
glass mirrors. From the cornlce above
these mirrors up TO the ceiling is IL
broad embossed frieze, the figures on
which are brought out in delicate color
1ng, and relieved in silver and gold.
Above the irieZe is deep cove also
embossed and relieved.
The ceiling Is all done in embossed
steel, and decorated IN the soIest and
most delicate SHADES ono could con
ceive. The beautiful contrasts and har
mony of shading In the ceiling is Il rest
and recreation TO the eye, which Is so
frequently offended by abominable
coloring. n the centre OF the front
ceiling is skylight OF cpalescent glass