St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1904-07-09
ANTIQUE FURNITURE AGAIN.
bedroom Golfers Of the Middle Ages
Are in Use Among the
Fashionab les.

The feminine world is again taking to
the use of stately and artistic coners OF
chests, reports the Washington star.
The danes of the middle ages, VINO
had no convenient bureaus In which 10
store their finery, were dependent upon
the Golfer. Some of these historic chests
are marvels of delicate carving, inlay
work and painting. The greatest artists
of Italy did not disdain to decorate these
receptacles.
| So valuable were some of the co1efs
| that a great lady was considered well
lowered if she received one on her mar.
riage day. 1t was placed in her cham-
Der, with the great bedstead and a stool
or two, which were the sole furnishings.
Toward the close Of the eighteenth CEN
fury Golfers were all but discarded. I'M
til recently specimens were to be found
only in the museums or old castles and
manor houses of Europe.
Now the taste for antique furniture
is bringing the Golfers again into favor.
Two seen recently were made for the
state rooms of yachts. They are both
carved and tinted.
One chest is built Of weathered oak.
deeply carved and then stained in green
and red. The design represents mer-
maids sporting in the midst Of an ocean
forest. Seaweeds and shells are the most
conspicuous features in the picture.
The other Golfer is of oak, having q
gray finish. It Is decorated with burnt
design. Green and mauve stains are
used to touch up the figures. The SUBJ
ject of these decorations is scene at
the court of King Neptune
Bedroom Golfers are usually adorned
with flowers, birds, butterflies or some
allegorical or NEUROLOGICAL scene. One
small boudoir chest has representations
OF Penelope among her maidens upon it's
panels. Through open windows the
sprays OF the climbing roses are blown
into the room and the flowers with the
garments of the women are brilliantly
colored
Scriptural subjects were painted ON
some OF the antique chests, and these
have been well initiated by modern
workmen. The painted panel is set deep
In the wood and framed by wide band
OF molding. Carved figures, supporting
the corners, and deliberately designed
lids are features of the painted chests.
The most ancient designs are tho
heavily carved ones. Those who are
versed in the history of furniture can
tell to nicely the age of chest by the
style Of carving and quality of the wood.
The earlier Renaissance specimens are
almost priceless, and even copies Of
them are expensive. In appearance they
are not unlike a coffin. There is usually |
richly carved base, the long shallow
body above it being slightly curved. The
lid projects over the body, and is less
deeply cut than the sides.
A more modern Renaissance chest. /
and style which is more frequently |
copied, is embellished with small panels,
on which appear conventionalized foli-
age designs in line work. The shading
is burnt into the wood.
Gilded and enameled Golfers are also
to be seen, but they are eighteenth CEN
fury work and represent the period Of
decadence'
The modern household Golfer is usual.
~ lined with silk or an art fabric. Plenty
OF tiny pockets are scattered over the
lining, and in these are placed sachets
for pertaining the contents of the box
The chests are convenient receptacles
for linen, bedclothes. draperies or gar
tnents not in USE
Those who can afford a cedar chest
need have no fear of moths. Although
these ornamental boxes cost more than
trunks, they will last a lifetime. They
are distinctly decorative, and may be
made to fit any vacant niche in a small
room. The price varies with the style
81 decoration and wood. Some are COM
paratively inexpensive, while others.
good limitations of the carved antique
chest or the gilded and enameled eight
zenith century masterpieces, are valued
10 are most works Of art.
lie ElDcr MIArEnen@aa-