Y.W.C.A. EFFORT

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 225, 19 June 1936, Page 4

Y.W.C.A. EFFORT

Exhibition of Antiques

To assist rhe City Girls’ Finance Effort, the Y.W.C.A. board of directors had the happy idea of holding an exhibition of antique china, art treasures and needlework, which was opened in the Blue Triangle Halt by Mrs J. S. Elliott yesterday afternoon. Many friends of the Y.W.C.A. co-operated by lending their antique treasures, and the result was an exceptionally fine collection which was arranged in big glass cases in both the Blue Triangle Hall and the main lounge.

Mrs. Elliott was introduced by Mrs. Ernest IV. Hunt, who handed her u charming posy of violets and daphne. Mrs. Elliott, said that at one time she had been a member of the national council of the Y.W.C.A., and so had some inside knowledge of the wonderful work of this association. It carried out what she termed unobtrusive and practical Christianity in its valuable assistance to the many hundreds of city and working girls who found the Y.W.C.A. a source of inspiration as well as a friend.

Speaking briefly about china and porcelain, which was represented In the exhibition by some beautiful examples, Mrs. Elliott said that it pro vided one of the best foils tor artistic merit, as well as being of utility in itself. Greece and China had held the highest positions in the art of china and pottery-making centuries ago, and the English work had boon very crude until men like Wedgewood and Spotlo brought the art. to a higher level. Mrs. Elliott, remarked that in New Zealand the clay for making really good chimi was procurable, but so far nothing hail been done to promote this art. She concluded by wishing the promotors of the exhibition every success, and expressing the hope that the City Fund would benefit to a large extent from it.

Incidental music was played during the afternoon by the Misses Olga Burton and P. Burton, and tea was served in the cafeteria. A stall for homemade cakes, in aid of the fund, ’did brisk business.

Among the great variety of interesting and beautiful things displayed in the different eases, the china and pottery collection was perhaps the largest, there being some beautiful pieces of Staffordshire ware, Wedgewood and Spode. A Japanese porcelain wino ewer was a beautifully delicate affair, and there was a charming pair of candlesticks in pastel shades, depicting a peasant boy and girl drawing water at a well. Another case held specimens ol Honiton and Brussels point lace, and some almost unbelievably fine Limerick lace, including a black silk lace .shawl, which, it was slated on a card, could be pulled through a wedding ring, so delicate it was. Chinese art was represented by several gorgeously coloured tapestry panels, representative of Old China, and some elaborately embroidered Chinese gowns. Among the valuable old paintings in the collection was a Rembrandt, “Miser Weighing Gold, dated IGID. Much admired was the portrait of a dear old lady, executed in bright colours in very tine cross stitch. This was done in the year 1815 Among other exhibits of historical in forest was the box of surgical instru meuls used by one of Nelson’s surgeons nt Trafalgar, and an exquisite stool of mother of pearl and ivory, which was originally the property of n Shall of Persia, and was presented bv him to the Rt. Hon. W. E. Gladstone q'here wore also many Maori exhibit.* of interest through their historical associations.