RELICS OF THE PAST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14691, 27 May 1911, Page 5

RELICS OF THE PAST.

VALUABLE ART TREASURES.

Some valuable articles of much historic interest are at present in Wellington, and will probably be exhibited at certain times in the Exhibition. They are the property of the Rev. Father Molloy, late of Masterton, who is at present in Wellington, preparatory to leaving for England, and, finally, America, next month. To detail their history would be a long story (says the Dominion), but some time ago they came into the possession of a relative of Father Molloy's, who liaWs a high position in the Austrian diplomatic service. One of the articles is a very beautiful gold and silver fob of exquisite workmanship, which was presented by George IV. when Prince of Wales to Swartzenburg, tho Austrian Ambassador in London, after a. Stato Ball held there to celebrate the Battle of Waterloo.

Another article in the collodion is a heavy gold necklace of peculiar workmanship, and a gold pendant, on which is depicted relief figures of the Madonna and child surmounted by a halo of small diamonds, and over that again a half-circle of sapphires. This is said to have been presented by Marie Louise (Napoleon's second wife) to a courtier in the year 1810. The third art treasure is a solid ring of dull gold, with the face of " The Man of Sorrows " delicately sculptured oil the side that would he exposed when on tho linger. The head is surmounted by tho Crown of Thorns, tho thorns being represented by tiny diamonds, and the crown by the daintiest scroll work in gold. This is said to have been tho property of Mario Therese, the Empress of Austria (1704). Father Molloy also has in his possession genuine paintings by Paul Veronox, Reubens, and Carlo Mural (1793). Tho first two are at present to be seen at the Academy of Fine Arts, and the latter may be exhibited for a time in tho Art Gallery at the Exhibition.