Omaha daily bee., 1896-05-31

soapes ana set with enamel, gold ana
precious stones, These pieces were used at
the coronation OF the Austrian kings, or for
their domestic service. A vase in the same
collection is formed of a single Peruvian
emerald weighing 1850 carets, which is said
to have been part of the treasure OF Bur
gundy Here, also Is the imperial crown
OF Austria made during the reign Of Rudolph
H. II is OF pure gold, richly adorned with
diamonds, pearls and rubies The circlet
is OF gold, enclrced with large fat diamonds
and pearls two ranges of deeply set pearls
decorating the border. The upper
border Of the clrclet Is adorned with
four large and four small neur-de-
lys ornaments bearing large rubies, dia-
monds and pearls. The skeleton OF the cap
is composed OF broad stripes of enamel ac-
companied by range of pearls on either
side OF the hoop which divides the cap INTO
two halves. Each half is formed by two
triangular plates Of gold. on which the prin-
cipal scenes of the coronation are wrought
in bas-relief. The hoop is surmounted by
little cross adorned by sapphire OF match
less beauty. This is one of the most remark
able specimens of German goldsmith's work
extant, and in point Of value and general
workmanship is unique of it's kind.
The Imperial orb is very similar in style.
The scepter probably made for the corona
ton of the Emperor Matthias In 1872, is
somewhat similar in workmanship, but prob
ably the most strik ng OF all the jewels mere
displayed is the diamond crown of the en-
nress. whose value exceeds 100000 of for
ms The finest gems in this crown, remark
able in size, brilliancy and polish, were part
of the private jewels Of the Empress Maria
Theresa.
In the Order Of the Golden Fleece decor
alton composed of $50 diamonds OF great
beauty, Is the Frankfort solitaire, a gem
of the finest water, weighing forty-two car
ats which was purchased by the emperor
Francis at Frankfort. Several other decor
| ations OF the Golden Fleece are also worthy
|
containing several brilliants weighing In the
| aggregate over eighty-nine carats, while
still others have large topazes hyacintns'
| garnets or chrysolites clustered round win
| diamonds. A grand cross of the military or
| der of Maria Theresa contains a rose col
| ored brilliant of twenty-six and one-e!ghth
| carats, a complete parure of rubes, consist.
| ing Of a tiara, a girdle, necklace, pair OF
earrings and watch is interesting because
of the fine quality of the gems, and also be-
cause it formerly belonged to the hi-iateu
Marie Antonette, queen OF France
Here is preserved the rose necklace OF Maria
Theresa comprising thirteen rose brilliants.
large sized brilliants filling the centers' anu anu
eleven pendeloques set with large soiltalre
brilliants of wonderful beauty. The famous
Florentine diamond, one OF the largest dia-
monds known, actually fills the Trivial role
OF hat-button in the midst OF this pc
wildering display. 1t weighs 1888 carats'
is sherry colored and is so cut as TO form
once the property of Charles the Bold CT
Burgundy, who used to carry 1t into bat
tie with him as talisman. lie lost IL at
the battle of Morat in 1476, and after many
changes of ownership, and lapse OF over
400 years. it came into the Austrian treas
ury through the marriage of the duke of
Tuscany with Maria Theresa. Buttons for
coats, waistcoats and hats are formed, each
one or more, of magnificent topazes set
round with brilliants. A large hyacintn
l. fagh
body OF an eagle, and set of pearl neck
laces and bracelets contains over 4SO pearls
of varying size. some very large and hne
This faultless collection reflects the taste
and judgment of Maria Theresa.
JEWELS OF THE ROYAL SAXON FAM
lily.
The famous Green vaults of Dresden con-
tain the jewels of the royal Saxon family
| from earliest times, and are one OF the
most wonderful treasure houses in the world
| The name Green vaults has bathed eX-
| planation, but in the absence OF positive
proof of any kind 1t seems that the name
| was given because of the original Color
| of one of the vaulted chambers. This cele-
| brated collection wes begun in 1889, but II
was not until the reign Of the Elector Au-
| gustus in the second half of that century
that any great addition was made TO the
| treasures. The work which the Elector
| commenced was completed by Augustus the
Strong whose taste for the fine arts was
| cultivated by travel and study. Here are
| to be seen wonderfully artistic vases,
| groups figures and objects by the renowned
| ieweler Dingliuger, and other skilled ar
| tisans of the latter part of the seventeenth
| century and the early part Of the eight
! eenth. Many of these are made OF curious,
| odd-shaped pearls set and ornamented as
| only Dingliuger and other great jewelers.
we're capable of ornamenting them.
| The crown Jewels in the jewel room, con-
| sist of six or eight different sets, Of the
| first class, and are not to be surpassed III
| Ali Europe Most of the gems, including the
| famous green diamond, were purchased dur
| ing the reign Of Augustus III and Ill This
| unique green brilliant weighs forty and one
| half carats and is in close proximity In the
| case to yellow and pink brilliants scarcely
| less remarkable in size and splendor.
garniture of rose diamonds, forming
part of these crown jewels, consists of
| thirty waistcoat buttons, thirty coat buttons,
| four shoe and knee buckles, clasp carrying
| a rose of twenty-six and seyen-eighth grains;
| an epault with a diamond OF sixteen and
| 6ve.eighths grains. and a sword the hilt OF
| which sparkles with 780 roses. The largest
Bohemian garnet in Europe, forty-six and
| three -fourths carats, in weight, adorns one
| OF the orders of the Golden Fleece here ex-
| hibited. Quite noticeable, even amcng the
| glitter of the brillants is the soft and glossy
| sheen OF eight strings of pearls near by,
| four Of which came from the pearl hshefy
| of the Elster, Saxon river, which mas been
| fostered by the Saxon crown since l6io, ana
| four from oriental waters. TWO rings, sala
to belong to Martin Luther, the great re-
| former, though plain, are fully as interest
ing as the more costly mementoos OF royalty
A FAMOUS JEWELER.
| One whole division of the jewel room is
occupied by the handiwork of John Melchoir
Dlngluger, the favorite jeweler Of Augustus
the Strong, sometimes called the German
| Benvenuto Celliui, Rock crystals and ivory
| carving, enameling, goldsmithing, combine
| here with the lapidary art TO produce
| variety of objects, allegorios and historical
scenes. wrought out in wonderful detail and
with the most striking effects. In these
works Of art nearly every known precious
| stone is introduced TO work out appropriately
| the artists lavish ideals.
GEORGE Il. KING.
a a