Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-04
At Home With a
Curio Collector

TT HE invitation came over the tele-
phone which seemed a bit Of an
anachronism-one might almost
well expect that tinkling summons from
the tombs Of the Ptolemies or the Gardens
Of Daphne. Yet there were few who were
bidden that night who felt inclined to quar-
rel with latter-day inventions; without a
telephone We might never have known we
were wanted.
The curio collectors house had been the
home Of his forefathers and 1t stood on
narrow, dingy street, once the abode of the
socially elect, but now given over to cheap
Office buildings and unpretending tene-
ments. and We let the heavy brass knocker
on his front door fall with undue haste, be-
ting anxious TO escape the curious gaze Of
the streets inhabitants
A Hindoo man servant, bearded tur-
bAned, silently obsequious, let us into an
uBcarpeted hall, lighted only by swinging
Moorish lamp. and guided us through dim
passages and up DINNER stairways to what
the collector whimSically termed his library,
though there We're no books in sight.
This was big room, boasting OF an i'm
mense fireplace, in whose surrounding tiles
ore might read the story of the Trojan war,
from the elopement OF Helen to the niSnt
Of Aeneas and lighted (another anachron-
ISM by electric lights disastrousiy intro
duced into lamps of rare and curious de-
signs.
The polished floor was dotted here and
there with splendid skins each a trophy
from one of the collectors hunting trips
in far-on lands. Bows of cunning de-
wise hung on the walls; spears, javelins,
swords Of varying lengths and patterns
and almost every other implement or saw
age warfare kept them company; While
one corner was devoted to vast assort-
ment OF poisoned daggers, most OF which
had figured In more than one of LIES trag-
eGies. their owner told us.
NV house Is yours" he said, after the
first greetings were exchanged, ION this,
NY last night for many months in civil
tIatiOn. / am of for the other end of the
world tomorrow, and l have a fancy for
sharing my treasures with my friends on
tbs occasion.
lie led the way from the library into
the Turkish room; smiled at our rhap-
sodies over the rich coloring of his rugs
and cushions. and laughingly offered US
ths ospitality OF the big Turkish pipe.
One venturesome member of the party
discovered scarlet fez. and. perching
herself Turkish fashion upon a soft
tened prayer rug. and gayly called our
attention to a street scene in CONSTANT
maple.
she was swept along presently with
the rest OF US, however. into the Japa-
nese room. We are accustomed to seeing
a display of Japanese china and ornaments
In the larger city shops. but no importer
OF special novelties" ever dreamed OF the
sfsres of beauty and daintiness that had
foEnd a resting place in the shelves OF the
collectors carved and inlaid cabinets.
he had some delightful little prints,
te5-a whole gallery OF graceful. kimono-
clad. slant-eyed beauties. and multitude
of fans. any one of which was beautiful
enough to add witchery to the coquette
who might WELD II.
There was a Chinese room that boosted.
1n addition to Its inlaid tables. It's fascinat-
inE handleless cups and its adorable tea
pots. "a chamber of horrors" This was
an alcove in which was immense cabi-
nes whose shelves from floor to ceiling
wee filled with tiny ivory men-some Of
tism prisoners undergoing torture. the rest
atEturers and executioners carrying out the