The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-16
A PIECE OF FURNITURE MAKES A
FINE CHRISTMAS GIFT.
Cushions and Observation-Disclosures in
WOmen's NecI<vear and
in Hats.

toners. The variety in fancy rockers is so
numerous that it would be a task to de-
scribe it, but the preference is for the low
back and high arms; in some the backs are
narrow and delicately inlaid with lighter
woods If the rocker is of mahogany or
flemish oak, and again it is inlaid with
mother of pearl Then again some are in
laid with French tapestry or handsomely
carved with claw feet and arms, or the
chair may be upholstered in leather or Sc
verey plain; in any case, there are rockers
which cannot fail 10 suit the taste and purse
of every one. There is also a large assort-
ment of hall chairs settees or benches in
various woods and styles.
Roman and Grecian and colonial chairs for
fancy pieces make welcome gifts, and so do
the dainty pieces in the Vernis Marten
finish, which come in all the odd and lovely
designs imaginable. Little round parlor
cabinets, with French legs, or tall parlor
cabinets for large bric-a-brac and rare and
precious china, Louis XIV secretaries and
other beautiful furniture come in this finish,
which is delicate and suitable for parlors.
Other china or bric-a-brac cabinets are
shown with bent rounded ends or swelled
front, in different designs, large and small,
with mirror backs or without. There are
cabinets, too, with swelled fronts, which
will nicely fill up bare corner. There are
fancy tables galore. oval and round, square
and oblong, tri-cornered and many which
have no name, except that they are fancy
pieces. They come in mahogany, golden oak,
oak, flemish oak Dutch oak and have vari-
Gus decoration. Some pieces, more suitable
for an Oriental room, have the designs
burnt in; others are hand carved, while
others are inlaid with various woods or
mother of pearl. The tables are made in
mahogany, antique oak. Flemish oak, birch.
bird's-eye maple and other woods. Book
cases this season show tendency to be low
and long, with glass doors, and are plain,
relieved by delicate hand carving on the
columns at either side. Some of the cases
are six feet long, others four and five. Lii
brary tables and large leather couches and
easy chairs are shown in variety Of de-
signs Something new in upholstering in
leather comes in small tufted leather In
stead Of the large tufting as is used mostly.
This style is also carried out in the chairs,
and will undoubtedly become popular. Many
people prefer the book shelves to the cases
with the doors, and the furniture dealers
show quite large assortment; they can be
used with or without fancy curtains. Side
boards are shown in many styles. Many of
style, rich, massive and almost severely
plain, with wide, low mirrors. There are
others which are handsomely carved, and
one, with canopy top, is a new design. Two
twisted columns support the top, while the
whole is made on rather straight lines, and
will make a very handsome dining room
piece. These sideboards are made in ma
hogany, Flemish oak. antique oak and other
faVorite woods
LUXURIOUS DAVENPORTS.
Davenports are among the latest novelties
in luxurious touches. They are made in
several different styles, and are usually up
hostered in velours, damask and tapestry,
with various wood for frames. They are
very rich and massive, and are used in large
reception halls or libraries, and where the
parlors are large enough make a handsome
parlor piece. In couches the plain ones
without the head, are perhaps the newest.
The quaint colonial couches, with high sides
and back, are very swell. and upholstered
in silk velour are very luxurious. Pedestals
vary in style, but the column pedestal is
more in demand than others. The columns
in some are twisted or carved, while the
plain colonial style is also popular. Low
tabourettes are also seen in various designs
and woods, and make suitable Christmas
stands for men unique designs are brought
out, and they are shown in mahogany,
d's-eye maple, oak. etc: They are mex
pensive and quite an addition to ladies'
bOudoir. Music cabinets, in old French style
and some in the more modern make, range
in price from "a to $35.
Sofa pillows are shown in varied as
sortment of styles and materials. The round
pillow of figured or pressed leather IS one
made block prints, and Oriental embroidered
pillows, also sik-embroidered make very
pretty gifts. Pillow covers made of satin
ribbon, joined by feather stitching and
made in bars, are striking. The late pill
lows are made perfectly plain and some
times finished around the edge with heavy
silk cord. A tapestry hunting scene is
shown in one of the furniture stores and
makes an attractive wall decoration. The
tapestry is draped with some heavy ma
In very effectively. Another of cupids, is
draPed daintily in soft material. Nubian
heads, with draped head dress are g, decided
novelty for an Oriental room. Armor,
mounted on plain red pattern shields is
something new for an Oriental room:
beetle wings, mounted on embroidered nets,
are appropriate for Oriental rooms.
Holiday preparation is in full blast in all
the big stores and the interior and exterior
herald the approach of Christmas in the
elaborate decoration of evergreen and holly,
the latter always intimately associated with
the winter holidays. At this time of the
year the brightness and warmth of the big
stores appeals to one. especially on these
coat collars and furs are muffled closely
around frost-nipped ears. Then does the
holiday emporium take on an aspect of a
refuge where frosted fingers thaw out and
a VeIitable feast of good things are dis
played for the prospective gift-giver. Dur
ing the last week the holiday trade begun
in earnest and the merchants are we'll
pleased with the results, and not a little
with the cold weather as many people put
OF buying winter clothing until compelled
TO. The display windows are especially love-
~ this season and are things of holiday
beauty and attractivenesS.
WOMEN'S NECKwEAR.
Elegant novelties in the way of women's
neckwear in soft materials are shown at all
the stores and are put up in dainty boxes
ready for delivery Dotted and fancy nets,
Liberties, mousselines and other transpar-
ent materials are used in combination with
satin ribbon and velvet etc. Duchesse
renaissance, appliques and all the old points
appear in combination with chenille fur
and ruffied ribbon, which add very much
to the effectiveness of the trimming Warp
finish and striped taffeta, with or without
jacquard effects, are very fashionable. and
checks in combination are also worn Satin
duchesse and armures and ribbed goods are
favorites. There is. aside from faiIle, much
demand for ribbed epingle, which produce
an effective barre effect. Moire is still in
favor and many new effects are brought
out. Some artistic and new ideas are shown
in velYets which are worthy of mention.
In one called piece-dyed, the pile is So Pc