The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-07-02
MORTUARY URNS.
New York Jewellers Keep Them In
 Stock In Various Designs.

It will come as a surprise to most per sons to know that many jewellers in Fifth avenue, firms whose names are house hold words. keep constantly on hand q considerable stock of mortuary urns and are prepared to supply customers on the shortest possible notice Needless to say these articles are not exhibited in the showcases. In one case a well known firm keeps on hand sketches of various de- signs, which are eheerfully submitted on application. And there is considerable competition in this new department. Such wares are advertised in the circulars or books issued by these houses, and great care is taken that the designs shall not be stolen and adopted by rivals.
 The love of display is evident in this trade, as in most others. The price paid for the more elaborate design of mor- tuary urn is surprising. The most ex- pensive of these urns are made from exclusive designs of good decorators and the finest materials are used in their con- struction. The designs vary considerably in size and form. One fashionable jew eler, for example, who carries a few ex- elusive designs. keeps in stock urns vary ing from $Ioo to S33o The cheapest of these designs, simple black onyx urn measuring six inches In height is quoted at the lower figure The most costly one Is eight inches In height, but Is made of pure rock crystal. Some of the urns are made Of bronze and are decorated with symbolic figures and other designs which are signed by we'll known sculptors These urns may be had decorated with carved ivory or with rich designs worked out in silver or gold. Another popular form is to have vase which exactly re. produces some famous vase of antjouitv Several of the famous vases in the Vati- can museum have been carefully repro- dueed in bronze of late for the New York trade These special designs are. of course likely to be very expensive. and instances of as much as $sooo being paid Tor a single mortuary urn are known to the trade.
 For customers who cannot afford these expensive forms there Is a great variety of comparatively simple and inexpensive designs The great proportion of the vases In actual use are supplied by the .mortu- ary companies A few years ago most of the urns used in New York were of home manufacture. but recently by one Of the odd freaks common to all trades the demand has changed to imported urns. One of the most popular forms. if the word may, indeed be used in this connection, is that imported from Japan These are of stone and excellent material and of course very durable. The de- signs have been made familiar by photo- graphs from Japan. since they follow the forms of the lanterns common to the ancient temples. These are, as a rule, cylindrical in form or square, roofed over with the quaint roof acute angles of Ja- panese architecture The weight of the covers or lids keeps them closed
 Sill other urns are imported from Ger many. Many of the designs worked out In bronze. and even steel. have a ready sale. The urns are sometimes made in the form of miniature Greek temples, with columns carefully preportioned with doors opening and locking to protect the ashes The possibilities of these designs are of course endless Even famous tombs have been reproduced in this way,
 A visit to a crematory, and there are several now in operation throughout the country, will illustrate how far this curious industry of supplying einery urns has progressed. After the urns have been filled with ashes if is customary to place them in inches in the walls.