The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-12-13
CHRIsTMAS SHOPPING.
Silver stu PopuIar-New ThiaEs in The
Shops-IIints to Buyers.

Silver stu PopuIar-Nrw Thiags in tho
Shops-Hints to buyers.
Silver IL still the popular metal. The almost
countless articles which have bech made OF it
during the last few years are still further added
to by this seasons novelties. If one Judged
from the appearance of certain showcases,
one would say that gold is very much in
favor. but the fact 10 that almost all of the
articles which look as II they were mounted in
gold are really In silver gilt.
One of the leading sllversmiths has q splendid
display Of toilet articles in silver gilt mountinEs.
In some cases the gold Is added simply for tho
rich effect. but sometimes there is n practical
reason. For instance. for the smelling salts
bottles II is desirable to have the silver mount
ing gilded because the punRent vapor will other
wise disoolor 1t. Into these mountinGs are in
troduced small delft china medallions or enau-
el!el work. There are q great many pieces with
miniatures on the back. but these are not so
new as the delft bits and those set with Jewels.
A beautiful powder set has n large gilt bowl
which rests on a gilt plate. Tho puf: shows only
the top of the handle. which contains a large
carbuncle set into the fiat gilt metal. There are
two popular ways OF finishing the gold. One is
the bright yellow satin finish and the other the
dull rose gold.
The latter method corresponds with whnt Is
called the French gray finish in silver. This Is
the fashionable thing and is something like the
older oxldizing. hut is rubbed brighter and does
not have the black shadows. The very latest
thing is the fiat Indian carving In this finish.
Some very beautiful things are to be seen in this
style. For instance. there is a hand glass claO-
orately chased IN an Oriental pattern. Tho
hand glass OF course is round, as most OF them
are nowadays. The newest thing In handles 10
not the simple ring. but what Is called a drop
handle" shaped Ike u curved staple.
Pin trays are still used. and the familiar
hnp r'-shaD red ip wei bpYnS Appn pIit. aR rpultar
as ever. A new silver curling set is the most
compact and convenient thing yet shown. An
other useful and not common thing is u silver
box Tor holding mustard plas,ers. \ good sized
openwork bowl OF silver Is u rather snmpiuous
old favorites for manicuring. but there is one
novelty among them. 1t IL the pumlce stone set
MS it formerly was, set. like the, nail polisher.
There are new travelling toothbrushes." win
reversible silver handles. which can be changed
into covers for the brush when it is not N use.
The eXtravagsntly long button hooks have gone
out of fashion now. and eight inches is the limit
of length. The nail roljshcrs are also more
moderate in size than a year or two ago.
Dresden china has almost entirely disap-
peared from fashion. Penholders mounted in
silver are almost the only articles in this line
which are popular.
There seems To be really nothing new in match
boxes. The only changes are in design and fin
ish. the French gray being. az before said, the
favorite. thing, The newest, Key rings are in
this finish and so are the latest tags. These
tags are all numbered. and the stiversmith reg
listers each one as it is sold. For Instance:
No. 0nol. sold to Mr.. John Smith.
Address --
The name and address Of the s!lversmIth are
In, raised letters on one side OF the tag: on the
other side are the words:
II the keys. are found and presented to the
silversmith he redeems them as agreed and
then transfers them 10 the owner. whose name
and address he has already registered.
Cha'elaines are more in favor than they have
finish above described are very beautiful. Side
com BIS are more worn than ever, but they must
f r ss sm laRE oH Dsss sr e'T pas.t! r heg s6 I'd i iorr inSHss,
with small medallious of delft CHINA. are eX-
ceedinglv pornlar. In fact these deltt bits. not
more than an men or an, inch and n half IN di-
ameter. are introduced into everything into
which they can possibly be put. They are in the
cigarette cases. til" matchboxes. and the covers
of all kinds Of bottles and boxes. They are 20
much in demand that tie dealers say 1t is al
most impossible to keep them in stock.
In oorkscrews. siiver-mounted bucRhorn han
dies are the most popular. a few fire ones in
ivory are exhibited. but they are beyond the
The beading, which has been the rage for a
year, Is still extremely well liked. II will be
1t is especially used in table silver, with the
quaint colonial patterns OF other days. Another
that OF setting amethysts and ropazes. OCCASION
ally other stones. into the tops of gold pens and
pencils. our used TO carry these
on a chain ABOUT their necks, or in the depths
OF their reticuies; Now the up-to-date girl is
doing the same thi'F.
In the silver tri!es which can be bought for
prices rang ng from 40 cents to 81 or s. there
are the same old friends and a few new ones.
The silver-mountcd delft umbrella bands arc
among the new ones. There are the silver cork
screws and medicine" measures combined. silver
floss boxes. six boxes. thimble cnses, silver.
mounted emery bag, for thread. scissors.
and all the appurtcnAnces for sewing; silver
mounted desk Eeccs>tries and convenienccs,
among which is one novelty, II silver letter scale
for weighing.
Most OF the leather goods are mounted in IL
yer. Monkey skin Is the most fashionable
leather; also the most expensive. Elephant
hide is another novelty. Lizard and snake
skins retain their vogue. and seal. morocco. and
all gator are =" regular stock"
For college men there are tobacco jars and
beer mugs made in the college color with its
coat OF arms stamped on tine side. There are
also wooden shields emhlazoncd With the col
lcge coat OF arms.
There arc silver crihhaGe boards. silver " coun-
tiers" OF various descriptions. and silver toy ar
ticies for collectors. In these last tiny things
you can invest about a dollar for the silver. and
from $40 to 500 for the workmanship.