New-York tribune., 1902-03-16
OLD SPANISH FURNITURE.
HAPPY FIND" BY RUTH PAYNE BUR
GESS-HER CHARMING STUDIO.

Externally it is only New-York brick house, but
within it is museum and library combined, this
home of Professor Burgess, Of Columbia, and Ruth
Payne Burgess. Wherever there are not books
there pictures. from basement to top floor
which is Mrs Burgesss studio.
This floor Is ideally arranged for a studio having
been reconstructed according to the plans Of Mrs.
Burgess, from the ordinary top floor. First all the
partitions were removed then the high studio sky
light was built in the roof the floor space was di-
vided into three parts by partitions extending only
short distance leaving wide spaces for portieres
The three divisions of unequal size. the middle
being much smaller, to serve an anteroom to
the studio, which Is entered through IT, The room
at the back is a reception and sitting room tina I
forms excellent pendant" to the studio
The studio proper Is hung with olive green burIap
on which the many gold framed paintings appear
TO the best advantage. II forms a perfect back
ground, too for the antique furniture that IS the
delight Of the artists soul and would adorn the
Metropolitan Museum.
This furniture is Old Spanish. and was one OF the
happy finds that occasionally come to those
whose lives devoted to the beautiful I'm nature
and art. 1t from the royal palace OF Santemo,
in Seville. which lately became the property of the
Archbishop of Seville through the will OF it's last
owner. Until 1877 the palace belonged to the Duke
and Duchess of Montpensier. and. although it IS
compa aratively modern most Of it's furnishings came
from other royal residences that centuries old
When the palace taken possession of for
church purposes the Archbishop sold much OF the
magnificent old furniture raise fund char
liable work. This done quietly, however and
only small quantities were sold a time, aVoid
attracting public attention as the furniture is said
20 have belonged several OF the Spanish mon
archs FAR back Charles Y.
It represented to Professor and Mrs
Burgess. who think that there is every to
believe il. from the internal evidence" SO to
speak. although they do vouch for it, Certainly
II must have been made for kingly owner, for
the six chairs. the great chest and the stately
'settee' all carved with royal embemS that
ordinary noble would have dared to use, One
magnificent chair has the back carved in the
Hapsburg imperial arms. with the of the
Holy Roman Empire supported by the double head
ed eagle, and every piece bears crown and the
Hapsburg arms or those of the BourbOns, who sue
ceeded the Hapsburgs in Spain. on one is the
arms Of the Kaliphat Of COrdova
All are upholstered with old Cordovan leather
rich in tarnished gold and faded but still glowing
color. that would excite envy In the soul OF any
artist antiquarian.
The great chest hears the Hapsburg arms and
scholars say that the surrounding carvings repre-
America was stiU new" The thronelike settee
also has the Hapshurg arms with the quarterings
of Burgundy. Milan, Austria and Spain on the
Most Of the pieces are Of Spanish walnut. and
the Others are of black oak. Wormhoes appear
in many places and add TO the interest and charm.
FOR not more than a month later The spanish Gov
eminent passed a law similar 70 MIA me itanan; tore
art ana historical value"
The other furniture on this studio noor is rich
old Spanish from Toledo. that is almost inter
esting and looks II it, too has history. II one
These chairs are the loveiest things for por-
traits" says Mrs. Burgess They are so becoming
The coat lying on the chair in the middle dis
tanCe of the photograph belongs to captain Clark.
OF the oregon, whose picture Mrs Burgess Is now
painting. The framed portrait on the floor. In the
n6 IS rs desned R % for the oSoke Town Hall
The pictures on the walls "f the studio are