ART OF THE PAST

Evening Star, Issue 21232, 13 October 1932, Page 15

ART OF THE PAST

MAGNIFICENT ANTIQUES DISPLAY OBJETS D’ART IN DUNEDIN HOMES EXHIBITION OF UNUSUAL CHARM * The -wealth of antique furniture, china, ami furnishings decorating homes in Dunedin must ho positively bewildering. A remarkable collection .of antiques, loaned by citizens, was opened in the Pioneer Hall last night in aid of the Free Kindergarten funds. While the display is both magnificent and comprehensive, over (iUO objets d’art being shown, there is greater satisfaction to the lovers of the beautiful in the work of man through history that this collection is but a small section of the valuable articles housed in Dunedin. An exhibition four times as large could have been staged with the antiques offering, yet by the most judicious selection by acknowledged connoisseurs an extensive display, representative of all periods, each piece being a delightful "work of art, is presented. The promoters of the loan collection of antiques have every reason to be proud of their work, particularly as the scheme was first mooted less than two months ago. For a due treatment of every section, not only the experts but the layman would really need a daily visit to the exhibition while it is open during the next fortnight. With every object there is associated some story of interest. Antiques make of a house a home; and even those who are not in a position to afford collection or possession of the valuable pieces will find a wealth of enjoyment in the exhibition. This display traces the history of home comforts; its value in outlining the history of the home, the basis of civilisation, is as important as a museum in tracing the history of man. Every piece in the collection is worthy of description; but to give the fullest credit to the hundreds of objects would entail the compilation of a massive volume. The most rare and beautiful of the articles only can be described. The Chippendale section represents with grandeur and beauty the art of Thomas Chippendale, who worked in the eighteenth century. Two very interesting specimens are serpentine chests—one in padouk wood, which is as heavy as lead—and the second of mahogany. It would be impossible to find better examples. Very scarce is the tray top table of the 1760-90 period. Beautiful specimens of the type are the mahogany simple ribbonback chairs. There is great charm in the Sheraton section. Probably the most exquisite piece is a mahogany inlaid bureau. It is very small and of the type keenly sought after by collectors. A table of satinwood is also very rare, as most of the furniture of the period was made in mahogany. Great surprise was expressed when a Sheraton polo screen, with a rare Bartilozi stripping engraving, after Angelica Kauffman, was offered; it was an object which the connoisseurs did not expect to find in New Zealand. Pole screens are much desired at Home. Another rare specimen in the Sheraton bay is a shield-shaped mirror. The Continental furniture is most appropriately set out on a gorgeous Aubusson carpet of extreme richness and size, while another sample of the Aubusson art is a carpet runner. An exquisite piece is an Italian marquetry writing table. Of rare beauty are two ivory inlaid Italian chairs, while a Spanish chest on a stand is most unusual. The Continental section also includes samples of Florentine lacquer work, and a Buhl table has most delicate tortoiseshell inlay. A Russian triptych, a folding picture, has been lent by the Art Gallery, and the other gems in the section are of tulipwood with Sevres plaque inlay. Rugged beauty ami marvellous workmanship are revealed in the oak and country-made furniture section, so typically English. One of the first pieces to catch the eye is a day bed, made from the old pews of the church at Bury St. Edmunds. 'The pews carried Saxon and Norman carvings. This is a piece of great age and charm. A rarity is a Bible box on a stand, made in 1650. An old chest dates back to Cromwell. . The most antique table in the building is the earliest type of oak draw leaf table. It is a true Tudor, heavy and massive. It has been in daily use in a Dunedin home. While there are several grandfather clocks in the exhibition, the most unusual of timepieces is a grandmother clock, which is smaller than the grandfather, dating back to 1750. The lives of the Apostles are portrayed on a carved table, dated 1720, and an oak chest goes back to the days of the Spanish Armada. Ait l oak mule chest of 1710 depicts graphically the trials of Daniel in the lion's den. Among the exquisite pieces in the walnut bay are a Queen Anne oak table, with mother of pearl inlay, an architect’s table of extreme rarity, and a William and Mary marquetry long case clock of 1692. .fudged by the experts to bo the most valuable piece in the whole exhibition is an Adam mahogany bureau bookcase, with painted decorations. The original glass is still intact. Made between 17GO and 1770, the bureau is a wonderful piece of work. Hepplewbite and Regency and British Empire periods arc also fully represented. A wealth of associations surrounds an old North Persian sarcophagus drape which originally belonged to tire Prince of Persia, who presented it to the present owner, Mr S. Do Beer. In pictorial form it first shows the dragon of death about to take the crowned king, who appeals in vain to his servants for assistance. Then thero is the day of judgment, with the desert eagles, the jackal, and the lions waiting for the corpse, while the angels and servants of Satan await the passing of the soul, only to ho fruslra ted as the king, seated on an Arab horse, is led blindfold to his seat in Paradise, attended by liis servants and shepherds. There is a fine collection of china, in which Chelsea, Derby, Worcester, and oilier types are represented by some very striking specimens in which a history of this form of decoration may ho traced over a great many years. The glass also makes an attractive display, one very fine piece being a glass of fragile beauty with a spiral twisted stem. For those whose tastes lie more in the direction of the practical than the ornamental there is a wealth of attraction in the exhibits of tbo Regency and English Empire periods, which contain a canteen used by Sir John Moore at the Battle of Corunna, an officer’s campaigning set and table, and a iablc and chairs which belonged to the Duke of Wellington, while many will be interested in a lino mahogany side table of exquisite design and execution. A brass-mounted ease containing a rule and a pair of dividers used by the Duke of Wellington is also on view. In the Chinese displays of particular note are two Kien-Imng enamels. Exhibited with the prominence it richly merits is a Sevres covered vase, ormulu mounted. This vase has a most interesting history. It was in Napoleon's collection, and was bought in 1812, when the collection was dispersed. In 18.0

it was given by Rothschild to bo sold for the relief of Paris poor, and was resold at Christie’s in 1885. Sheffield plate, silver, brass, copper, pewter, and bronze displays make a most imposing and beautiful display. Two old alms dishes in pewter also decorate the oak section. Old books and paintings arc given fitting prominence, too. Nothing but praise can be given to the committees responsible for staging the exhibition, which should ensure financial security for the kindergarten movement during the coming year. The exhibits, although so numerous, are neatly spaced, giving no suggestion of crowding. The compilation of the catalogue must have been a most arduous work, but the patrons will find it a mine of information. The Pioneer Hall has been transformed for the exhibition, and the ease with which the hundreds of exhibits may be inspected will be appreciated by art lovers. A pretty setting of a flower bower has been created for the supper room. The attendance at the private view and opening function last night indicated that the promoters will have no need to worry on the score of patronage. The keenest interest was shown, and it is certain that once people start talking about the magnificent exhibition the hall will be packed for every session. The chair was taken by Mr H. Mandeno, who said they all hoped that the exhibition would be a great success, and the members of the committee felt that they had reason to feel gratified with the very fine show. It now remained for the public to patronise the exhibition freely, and he was sure that those who had seen it once would feel impelled to make another visit. Ho would like to thank all who had lent articles, and in this connection there had been a wonderful response. Although it was invidious to select anyone in particular, it would have been impossible to hold such an exhibition had it not been for the self-sacrificing work of Mrs Sleigh and Mrs Jackson Purdie, who had been engaged for weeks in preparation, and had had to inspect every article, besides carrying out the cataloguing and many other necessary arrangements. Sir Lindo Ferguson, who officially opened the exhibition, said that it had been arranged to assist the free kindergarten, which had found itself in difficulties as the result of the withdrawal of the Government grant, and as £I.OOO had to he raised it was a case of the very old being used to help the very young. Speaking of antiques, lie did not pretend to he an expert, but for that matter no ono could know really all about such a subject. Ho did not think that ono who was considered an expert derived the same pleasure from old things as did the less knowing, because he was constantly criticising and could see flaws where others saw only perfection. The exhibition comprised _a magnificent collection of articles, but it made one regret that there was not a. permanent loan exhibition in connection with the art gallery, so that people could see it from time to time. To enjoy old things one must love them, and the more that was put into an article in the way of affection the greater would be the pleasure derived from it. In making possible such a display, Mrs Jackson Purdie and Mrs Sleigh had performed a regular labour of Hercules during the past few weeks, as had the secretary (Mr A. G. Matheson), Mrs R. A. Ewing, and Mr F. Barron. Sir Lindo referred tn the various periods represented by the exhibition, and spoke of the memories associated with them, dealing in an interesting manner with the probable origin of some of the articles and with the men who had made them. A delightful interlude was an eighteenth century playlet in costume, staged by Mrs R. T. Little._ The play ers wore Mrs Little, Mrs Richard Hill. Mrs Frank Turner, and Misses Dorothy Scoullar, Service, and Betty Barling. Mrs Hill sang the solo 1 Pastorale ’ with very pleasing effect, and joined Mrs Turner in the duet 1 Sweet Kate,’ while Misses Service and Scnullar performed a period dance. Mrs Little was the pianist. The exhibition will he open for the next fortnight, and tn-clav Mr Josef Szieeti, the Hungarian violinist, will lend a fourteenth century violin inlaid with ivorv.