Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-10
COPPER {, ORNAMENTS
II
Well Arranged, Give Out a Play in
Color.
REAL TREASURE IN A COLLECTION
Sentiment and Pathos as Well as
Their Value.
TO BRING OUT POLISH
REAL TREASURE IN A COLLECTION
TO BRING OUT POLISH

Have you ever lived with piece of
copper until you have learned to love it?'
asked a friend of me the other day, and
she went on to say that she looked upon
the softened light playing over the polished
surface of a bowl as upon a smile on
well-known face; that it was like bit of
continual sunshine to have 1t in the room
The shape, Of course, has something to do
with the pleasure one has in seeing utensils
of copper and brass, but the brilliant glow
Will come as well from a commonplace or
ugly form as from pretty one, and after
all that is the thing one wants in metal
The highest possible polish to be obtained
by hand rubbing-not machinery--is the
first requisite in order to make an article
of copper or brass a constant pleasure, so
that 1t may affect the spirits like a day
IN SPRING. The novice in buying old pieces
may be skeptical about the transformation
possible when she sees the discolored OBJ
1ect sometimes offered for sale; but hard
work Will in time bring out the desired
bril1ancy of the multiplied reflections
from one shining surface to another, which
are indescribable."
Inc easiest way, Of course is to buy it
already furnished if possible, and in small
quantities 1t is to be found in almost all
collections of antiques One must pay well
usually If 1t is in fine condition, for that
implies invariably, l suppose, a previous
First Humble Owners.
The greater number of such articles are
brought over here by immigrants, often
Russians and Poles, and 1t must pass
through several hands before it reaches the
market IN condition to attract fastidious
buyers for the adornment of their modern
fashionable rooms, where as / have sug-
seSted they Will find II joy forever In
New ork city Is one collection of old brass
ana copper which fills rooms III the large,
oid-fashloned dwelling where the owner
iVes' ne mas been years in gathering to-
gether this number of things, having dozens
Oh some OF the articles and no two alike.
lhey range in size from the huge water
Jars to very small cans, from great samor-
ais to those not holding more than pint
There are braziers without number; these
seemed TO be always an article which the
metal workers made a favorite to show
forth their finest ideas, and it is the charm
or all old workmanship that the same mind
conceived and carried out the design; there
was no bungling or Sinking when this was
the case, and makes one reason of the su-
periority of handicraft over machine work
The gatherer of this wonderful collection
began years ago, as L have said, and has
searched the most out-of- they way places all
over the world to find his treasures, OF
which probably few duplicates can be found
anywhere now.
Only a Few See 1t.
If such collection could be seen by all
metal lovers 1t would be of great educa-
tional value, but only favored friends can
enjoy it under its present conditions though
perhaps in the future it may enrich some
public collection, when it can be seen by
the many instead of the few. OF course.
1t Is compare lively rare that a person can
crafty personal taste of this kind, but
perhaps limitations add Zest to the pleas
ure of searching. ITO get all the enjoy
ment that Is possible out Of a hobby 1t
seems best not to have great wealth at
command" This seems a wise saying and
most of US can console ourselves with it.
If, however, one is interested in getting
few things when others may have many
one piece of old metal put in an otherwise
dark or dull corner will give pleasure that
seems living from it's warmth of glow and
color, and will positively endear itself to
whoever watches its changing lights and
shadows.
Selection and Place.
A basin, tray or drinking cup with one
or two handles are good small pieces, while
larger ones of bullying surfaces which give
about the best play of color, can be gotten
usually when other antiques abound. They
look best when they can be seen from a
distance, across a large room, or looking
from one room into another. A short-range
view is much less satisfactory. While col
Letting any antiques is fascinating, 1t Is a
strain on the feelings sometimes to realize
the pathOs Of it ALL the stories of sorrow,
suffering and maybe sin which have
brought these beautiful objects from the
homes they once adorned to go into strang
ers' hands.
The Sentiment.
What stories could these fragile bits Of
glass or china tell-of the strong lives they
have outived, of the happiness of which
they were witnesses, changed to bitterness
and want, while they. unresponsive, lnsen-
safe, keep their beauty for alien eyes.
One wonders at times where all the mar
velous things come from that are displayed
for sale; but 1t Is the constant CHI angling of
circumstances that brings them IN and out
of the market; old people dying homes |
broken up and the pressure Of poverty send
them from homes to shops, and then they |
are brought back into homes again, where |
they are always mystery to an imagina-
tive mind.
Like plank Of driftwood
Tossed on watery main,
Another plank encounters,
Touches. parts again;