Omaha daily bee., 1905-11-04
SILVER SERVICE FOR SHIP
Gift Of State to Battlsship Nebraska Now
on Exhibition at Lincoln.
WEIGHS OVER TWELVE HUNDRED OUNCES
Probability IL VIII 10 Exhibited in
Omaha Before Time Arrives to
Present It 60 States
Naval Namcsake.
WEIGHS OVER TWELVE HUNDRED oUhcI
lFrom a star Correspondent.


LINCOLN, Nov. 3-(Special Telegram
The silver service to be presented to the
batueshIp Nebraska by the state of Ne
braska is now on exhibition In the Office
OF Governor Mickey. 1t was unpacked by
A. +. Smith OF Omaha, the jeweler who
sold the service to the state An appro-
priation Of 5000 was made by the last
legislature for this purpose and all of 1t
was expended. 1t is expected the service
will be displayed in Omaha for some time
before 1t Is finally turned over to the ships
officers, which will be some time during
tic next year.
Description of Service.
The service comprises twenty three
pieces, Weighing LIS ounces. The center
piece is for fruit, flowers and lights. The
main part of the center piece is to be
used for fruit or for Gu, flowers or, with
the loving cup out Of the center piece, 1t
can be used for growing ferns as a sep
arato piece for decoration Of the table,
while the loving cup can be used sep
arately The six lights Of the candelabrum
arc fitted for electricity The total length
over all is thirty-fve inches; total height
over all, thirty-one inches. The lights
have silver candle shades. The large she'll
Mt the end Of the center piece in which
the arms are fitted runs into a shell border
that overhangs the edge of the lower dish
and extends to each side of the eagles
wings Tie eagles practically continue the
border, and they are fully modelled and
retain the form and slope as would be
shown by the eagle in natural position.
The United States ship Nebraska is
etched on a central panel. The Union Pa
elhc bridge, Indicating the first overland
route west. is one of the additional deco
ratlons. Upon another panel is a scene on
Wood river. On the corresponding panels
on the reverse side there are other scenes,
indicating the state capitol building. Be-
tween the various etchings or scenes there
Is relief work. cast and chased, showing
the products of the state-corn and wheat
and the heads of cattle, also in high relief
The eagle holds in it's talons golden rod
the state flower, and the laurel branch
Indicating peace victory. Upon one side
of the base is the seal of the United States
navy and on the other side the seal of the
state. Seaweed is introduced in connection
with the shell effect carrying out the
nautical design. The piece weighs 5Ot
ounces.
Tho loving cup, or flower vase, lie for use
either In conjunction with the center
piece or separately. It is twelve inche,
high and has dolphin handles with shell
border as on the center piece. An Indiar
scene is etched upon one side of the body
and on the reverse side are scenes de
sentative of Nebraska.
wire net mesh is provided for the tor
TO be used in filling 1t with cut flowers
There is also an ebonized vase or foot to fl
inside the center piece to give it elevation
The weight of this piece is 100 ounces
Punch Bowl is CapaciOus.
The punch bowl measures in heigh
4 t~enty.one inches and sixteen inches il
diameter and has a capacity Of between
four and five gallons 1t is gilded inside
IL has two graceful handles, with full mod
eled eagles surrounding it. the handl
growing into the border with the shell ant
sea weed effect. The seal of the state 4
one side and the seal of the Navy de
partment on the opposite side. with tn
state fiower-golden rod. Corn and whea
are introduced in the etching The bow
stands on three massive feet, representa-
the head, shoulders and fore feet OF tn
buffalo. Between these feet are modeiet
relief heads Of cattle sheep and also tn
antelope, one in each space. The Unite,
States ship Nebraska is etched upon on
side. fianked at either side by medallion