The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-04-27
CHINESE CURIGS.
THEY ARE MADE FROM ROOTS,
SHELLS, METALS AND GEMS.
rhe Quantity Of Trinkets Worn by the
Women Of China-The Mongolian
Merchants Method Of Bill
ing Purchase.

Merchants Method OF Bill.
ing Purchase.
DONSUL EDWARD BEDLOE
1 / writes from Annoy. China, a
~ very interesting report con-
cerning Chinese curios. DR..
Bedloe has already written one report
on this subject, and the minuteness
and unaagging interest with which he
describes the curios and rare as well
as common articles for decorative pur-
poses to be bought in Annoy compel
the conclusion that his reports are mol
merely perfunctory.
Among the curious things enumera-
ted are tea-root figures, made from the
gnarled roots of tea plants and other
trees. The commonest form IS that OF
a monk in a ludicrous attitude talking
to bird. Their cost varies with their
size and beauty, from fifty cents apiece
to $3.50.
DR.. Bedloe says that nothing, moi
even the shells of the sea, goes to
waste in the extreme Orient. At least
dozen industries are supported by
what We would call the refuse of shells.
When these industries have exhausted
the raw material what remains is SOLD
to the limekiln and the kitchen gar.
dener. One family of univalves (the
Strombus) is used for making fish
horns, toy trumpets, war horns, and
the like. The animal is extracted and
sold in the market. The shell is
boiled, scraped, and dried, and the
minor apex or spindle cut off at an
obtuse angle with the axis of the
warped surface. The resultant shape
is success so far as the production OF
noise is concerned. As musical in
strument it is dire failure.
Another and ingenious way Of using
shells is as buttons, sleeve links and
hairpin heads. More ingenious are
the shell cups, saucers and spoons
made from the larger types of tropical
univalve shells. The largest industry
is the cutting of beads, buttons, studs
and other small articles from shells OF
a high lustre. There are some fifty
species which are utilized in this man.
ner. One variety gives black, blue
and white button similar to the cats
eyes of Ceylon, and named after these
Annoy or Canton cat's-eyes. A second
variety is of pale fawn ranging to
translucency, called white cat's-eyes.
A third is half an inch in diameter
and resembles light brown onyx. The
black and whiee eat's-eyes are used fol
bracelets, necklaces, ladies' dress but
tons and also as dress ornaments similar
to pearls. The balls are strung an6
used as necklaces, bracelets, earring
and rosaries. Though apparently
fragile they are really tough and very
durable. Their price depends upo1
some inscrutable Chinese rule an6
varies from half q cent to five cents
apiece. A queer wsy of settling both
cat's-eyes and onyx balls practiced by
the Chinese consists of alternating then
With small carved fruit stones.
Silver jewelry and cuGios in Chin,
are universal. The poorest coolies
wife has usually argent bracelet and
earrings, In curios and bric-a-brac
the number Of silver articles is legion.
One class consists Of miniature repro.
duction of features Of daily life and is
adapted for earrings, watch charms,
pendants and bangle attachments.
Among the more familiar objects are
the pagods, sampan Tor native boats),
junk, the sedan chair, the small-footed
lady's shoe, the Goddess of Mercy, the
Celestial Poodle, the King Of Fishes,
the sitting Buddha, the dragon, the
flying serpent and various animals.
The work and finish are admirable, the
features and hair of the human beings
and animals, the scales Of the fish and
crocodiles and the marking of the
turtles carapsce being reproduced
with the highest care and skill
Another class includes flagres worA
and tissues made from fine silver wire,
and is marked by the highest skill and
beauty. The, designs at times are
simply marvellous. One from Fuehau
consisted Of bouquet, over which was
loosely wrapped a silken veil. It was
80 perfectly made that the veil looked
as if it might blow away at any mo-
ment. Through its flmy folds the
flowers and leaves were all visible. An
other artistic gem was little bouquet
ia which ferns, lilies Of the valley and
similar botanic beauties were perfectly
photographed in metals.
A custom Of the Chinese trade de-
serves mention. In selling his goods
the Mongolian merchant in silver ware
gives the weight Of the metal, its fine
ness and its value as bullion; and then
as separate item the cost of the work
Thus one day, in purchas-
ing pair of corded bracelets, DIR.
Bedloe's bill ran as follows Silver
AZ ounces eighty-fve per cent. fne),
81. 20 (Mexican) workmanship, So. Is;
total, $685. (Mexican). The first item
is mathematicallY correct and can be
depended on as the intrinsic value OF
tho material used in its manufacture.
The Flowery Kingdom is full oi
oddities and novelties to the newcomer
from Christendom. The first thing
that attracts his attention on landing
at Shanghai or Hong Kong is the
and the quantity of jewelry
worn by Chinese women in their hair.
It varies from place to place, so that
careful student, after little expert
ance, can tell where O woman comes
from by simply looking at the orna-
nents on her head. There are first
the purely decorative pins, which sug-
root En:ttino noodles or fashionable