The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-10-20
THRONES OF EUROPE
ROYAL Chairs which Cost Tens Of
Millions.
PIECES OF FURNITURE STUDDED
WITH GEMS,

Some Monarchs Have Half a Dozen
Thrones-Queen Victoria Has One she
Doesn't Use Which Cost S25, O0O, 900.
If the cos of the thrones of the Kings
and Queens of Europe were Jumped into
one sum, the total would be close TO
$500, 600, 600. This is a stupendous amount
of money, merely to afford an imposing
place for monarchs to sit and receive the
ad ulations of their subjects. but royal
polnp must be maintained at any price.
ana glittering throne chair under a
canopy of blazing jewels goes long
way toward making some people believe
that the ir ruler is parsonage OF extraor-
binary worth and merit. At least, all
the Kings and Queens seem to look at
it this way, for their thrones are marvels
of ingenious contrivances for the exhibit
ton of wealth.
And the majority Of these rulers are
not icontent with one throne. Queen
Victoria has throne in St. James'
Palace, another in Buckingham Palace,
eullu az w Oo6u4Os haA0 q 4oAA oaA
also at Windsor, but the latter Is never
used because of its extravaganza richness,
and the Queen at haart.is really plain
minded, old fashioned lady.
This fourth throne cost $25, 600, 600, and
is the most notable the world over. 1t
formerly stood in one of the palaces of
Delhi, and is known as the Peacock
Throne. Its history Is SO extensive that
it would be impossible to give even an
outline here. 1t derived its name from
the fact that the figures of two peaoocks
stand behind it, with their tails expand
ed, each figure being mass of 1ubies,
sapphires, emeralds and other precious
gems set in such way as to carry out
the scheme Of varied color in the living
peacock.
The throne itself is six feet long and
four feet wide, standing on six massive
feet, the whole being of solid gold, Maid
| with diamonds, emeralds and rubies.
| Between the jeweled peaoooks is a life
| sized parrot, carved from single emer-
aid. The canopy of gold is supported
| ny UWclt0 Pllinlo, O0CA Sou WiuA DECiOuS
gems, and the fringe of the canopy is
composed of strings upon strings of
| beautiful pearls.
| A wonderful umbrella the oriental
sym boil of royalty-goes with the throne.
This has solid gold handle eight feet
long studded with diamonds, and the
cloth is Of crimson velvet. embroidered
wi til pearls, and with fringe of the
same precious gems.
| The English throne with which the
people are most familiar is that in St.
James Palace where all the foreign
Ambassadors are received. This is a
plain affair in comparison with the one
| just described. The dais is covered in
crimson velvet, and the chair, Of carved
gold frame work, Is upholstered In the
same cloth. The canopy is IN imposing
affair of crimson velvet, with enbroid-
cred crowns set with pearls, AMI the
frame work is of massive gold carving,
| the whole surmounted by the crown and
the letters V. Il.
| About the plainest and least ofenta-
tious throne in Europe is that occupied
by the King of Italy, sensible man,
who is much opposed to useless pomp
and show. Quite an ordinary Velvet
chair rests ON a ve'vot covered dais. The
royal arms and crown are embroidered
on the back Of the chair, and this the
only distinguishing mark. The canopy
is comparatively plain. The King. when
receiving, seldom uses the throne ohair,
but stands on the steps of the throne and
goes through the ceremony in dsmo-
cratic way.
When the little boy King Of Spain Is
old enough to sit on the throne he will
be surrounded by mass of splendid al
must Understandable. One of the nonble
features Of the throne room is the painted
ceiling, depicting the various Kings of
Spain in the costumes of the many
provinces. Wonderful mir rors, great
tables of massive marble. crystal CHAM
deliers of bewildering Dimensions, and
hangings Of priceless worth, make this
room one of the wonders of the wtrld.
Four immense silver lions stand on
either side Of the throne, which Ia COW
cred with velvet, deliberately emtioid-
ered
Emperor Williams throne room in the
Berlin palace rivals that of Spain in
splendor. The throne is of solid silver,
with q canopy covered with eagles and
crowns. There are two chairs on the
throne, one for the Emperor and the
other for the Empress.
In less than two years Wilhelmins, the
girl Queen of Holland, will b. old
enough to sit on her throne and guide
the affairs of her SUBJECTS. She is a
trifis over sixteen now, and will be OH
cially of age on her eighteenth birthday.
And very pretty throne she will OCCUPY
in the royal palace at Amsterdam, for II
was entirely reftted in 1890. and has
much fresher look than the thrones Of
more powerful nations.
The canopy of gilded frame work il
surmounted by crowns and ostrloi
plumes, and the inner center Is embrolo
cred with the Netnerland arms. LIT