The herald., 1895-10-04
RARE HISTORIC JENELRY
In the Possession OF a Royal
Polish Countess
THE STORY OF A CRUCIFIX
A BaubIe That Has Passed Through
Many Thrilling Scenes
Earrings and Brooches Of Cunning Work.
manship and Great Intrinsic Value Be-
longing to Countess Syberg


the costumes of the fairest of Poland S
princesses; Jewels. of value incalculable
--such are the possessions of Countess
Louisa Johanna porothea Francisco Caro-
line Won Syberg. at present guest OF
Mrs. L. E. Giese, at 1880 South Hill
street.
Aside from being the possessor of go
much that is interesting to the collector
and the historian, Countess Syberg has a
history that In itself would give inspira-
ton amending to the American romancer.
Her carry life was spent among some of
the stormiest scenes of the uggling
kingdom. Her lineal ancestors were alb
solute rulers of Poland. and much OF the
jewelry she has in her possession are
heirlooms of the royal family. Countess
Syberg's mother was the granddaughter
OF King Stanislaus Leszezynski. VINO was
placed on the throne by Charles NIL,
who conquered Poland in the year 1905.
She came to this country some thirty
years ago. residing since that time in var
ious portions of the east.
In appearance she is decidedly regal
and the years that have passed over her
head have in nowise dimmed the keen
ness of her eyes that snap with the spirit
that animated the Polish patriots of
long ago. Every feature tells of the
storms OF adversely that have beaten upon
them and every line speaks of strong re-
solves and stronger actionc. Her CONVEX
sational powers are limited to her native
language, and it was only through an in
terpretsr that these facts we're told to a
Herald representative in an interview
last evening.
The jewelrv worn by the countess is re-
markable. Fingers, ears and throat
bazed with the ardent fire of the oia-
monds lavishly distributed over her cos
tune. ROBBED in becoming black dress,
she received The Herald man with a cour-
tesy that seemed new to this bustling
age of Americanism. and in telling of
some of her past life she forgot her pres
ent one and her auditors were fairly car
ried on the tide of enthusiasm to the
days of Frederick William and Koscin.
ski.
magnificent diamond brooch and
pendant earrings were shown the report
err the workmanship of which was indeed
beautiful. The brooch was circular in
shape and held handsome solitaire as
nucleus. Around this were set nine dia-
monds of the purest water, surrounded
in turn by nine large stones set separate
ly on the outer ridge of the pin. The ac-
companying earrir gs were of similar de-
sign. each holding ten fine stones set in
like manner around a central solitaire
Massive gold pendants were attached to
the lower part OF each. making them
nearly an inch and half long. At the
lowest estimate the entire set could nard-
iy be purchased in these days for less
than $1,000 or $500. Then, too, the work
In the setting ard the design showed that
they owed their existence to a ieweler
Of no mean order.
The gems worn by the lady are set in
platinum, the designs being intricate and
finely put together. They contain q num-
Der OF stones that are worth a kings ram
som, but it would take an enormous sum
to induce her to part with them. for thsy
are all family relics and were at one time
ornaments priced by kings and queens
of Poland.
The browning glory of the collection is
in the form OF a mosaic gold crucifix set
with seed pearls. This has history &C.
corded to but few pieces of ;egelry in
American collections. The crucifix itself
is of the finest hammered gold and is
some four inches in length. Its pattern
shows a finely engraved design running
from edge to edge along it's entire length.
The chain is quadruple and each separ
ate portion Is strung with seed pearls. OF
which there are sixty in ALL each perfect
in color and of very nigh value. just
above the cruGifix large pearl is set in
calyx of gold.
The history of this work of art is both
thrilling and peculiar. Nearly all of its
possessors have received it under trying
clrcums stances, and many a lin has press
ed the golden sym Dol in last supplica-
tion for pardon and forgiveness.
Its maker is unknown, but the first
legend that is connected with it tells of
its presentation by Charles MI of Sweden
to the youthful Stanislaus shortly after
the battle of Narva, in which the crown OF
In
the death of Stanislaus it passed into the
hand of a favorite Dobleman, relative
of the Czartoryskis that was afterward
placed in power by confederation of re-
formers in 1764. The wife of this noble
man was remarkably beautiful woman,
whose name is given as Marguerite, and
she it was who, in the keeping of a sin
full tryst, lost her life by the hand of her
lover. Marguerita's husband was one Of
the wealthy LORDS thai held the favorite-
ism of the treacherous Catherine l. OF
Russia, and his visits to the court of the
queen were many.
Left to her own resources his youthful
bride was forced to lead an existence
that was greatly eearisome, and when
one bright day friend of her husband
visited the castle, she fell violently in
love with him. The passion was recIpro-
Gated and when the husband return ed
from the Russian court it was to find his
place usurped by his one time friend.
Hot words followed close on the heels
of.his arrival and tho challenge to d uel
to the death was the result.
The struggle took place i'll the court
yard OF the castle on the night of the
lords return, and the guilty wife. lean
ing from the easement, watched the
moonlight gIittering on tn, crossed
swords of her husband and the man she
loved as they engag ed in mortal com bat
Distracted by the fair face OF his lady,
the visitor made false thrust and was
instantly killed by well directed thrust
from the sword OF his revengeful opponent
That night as the moon shone on the
dishonCred body of the lover it also shone
through the easement of the lady's room.
and the light falling upon her body with
q lewelied dagger piercing her fair breast,
while around her neck gllttered the pearl
crucifx, mute symbol of the religion
they both had violated. Ere she was
buried. however, it was taken off and
given back to the family to whom it by
right belonged, and from them passing to
the Countess Syberg as a family trnket.
The countess values her jewels greatly
by reason of these legends that connect
them with the princes of the Polish peo-
pie. and she exhibits with pride the let
tiers and documents that prove her to be
their lineal descendent.
For good table claret try our Sonoma
Zinfandel, SOC per gallon. T. Vache &
o. C<<.~~ r,so ,xxl A l.. IL.