ANTIQUE EXHIBITION

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 144, 19 June 1936, Page 15

ANTIQUE EXHIBITION

EXQUISITE TREASURES A feature of the life of the modern woman is the interest which she displays in matters outside the realm of her every-day work., A hobby in which the modern generation shows a keen interest is the collection of antiques and general objects of historical value. It can easily be understood, therefore, that there was keen interest disolayed in the exhibition of old" china, miniatures, needlework, and other artistic products of the past Hall yesterday afternoon, 'the. object of the exhibition was to assist the city girls' financial driveinSiaicl of the Y.W.C.A.

I. In introducing J. S. Elliott to 'a large number of visitors, Mrs. Ernest Hunt thanked those who had helped towards the success of the exhibition by making contributions to the display. .. s-y-"H ;■.;: . Mrs. Elliott, who declared the exhibition open, referred to the valuable work don? by those who directed the activities,.s*■ the Y.WiCA. in .spite of the financial/difflculties which they had to surmount. Referring to china and porcelain, she" said they provided one of the best mediums of artistic treat,ment. She pointed but that china and porcelain treasures were mostly products of the old civilisations of China and Greecerand said that, though- the clay for making really good china was procurable in New Zealand, such a young country could not expect to produce artistic objects for many years. It was a happy thought for the promoters 'of this exhibition to raise by loan-this collection, and it was hoped that everyone would find in it something of artistic or literary value.

1 This display included many unique 1 exhibits. Some of the most interesting were a: portrait of the mother of the Duke of Wellington reading of her son's victory at Waterloo from the first copy of "John Bull," the picture being done in very fine cross stitch; exquisite pieces of Brussels lace and tatting; a shoe worn by Mary Queen of Scots; black silk limerick lace shawl, so fine that it could be pulled through a wedding ring; Chinese ceremonial robes; a perfume holder which belonged to Marie Antoinette; box of surgical instruments used by one of Nelson's surgeons at Trafalgar; painting by Rembrandt, "Miser Weighing Gold"; many Maori exhibits; and a big collection of china and porcelain ware. Incidental music was played by the Misses Olga and P. Burton, and tea was served in the cafeteria.