Sheer Extravagance

Otago Witness, Issue 2884, 30 June 1909, Page 73

Sheer Extravagance

In Mr Eldridge T. Gerry's house there" is a marvellous . staircase. <It has the; appearance of being' ait from one' solid block of 'marble^ the n s eat ' joins ,, being clevely- hidden by -3tair'-rails*- ; 'heavilyplated with'., gold.<y v The balustrades .are a rnpsf'/ntracatev'design^in,^costly;', bentironwork, and at thVfQot ol'the staircase stand two huge .figures; each, Wcling/aloft a wonderful spray of electric light". "" Eaeli step of" this -marvellous staircase'jif said j to Have' 'cost" JtsxjO"ynei;.-.£sotf. " ' ,';' ' Then the .'late Mr YerlsesVof tube-ra'il- • way fame, . lavished £60,000 -on. -a single bathroom in his"'liouse, and one bedstead cost him £2000. - But that is nothing compared with the i amount spent in, the. wonderful bedroom of Mr StepheA .S. -Marchand.-. Thf bedstead, which is of massive ebony, with elaborate ivory carving, took two years to construct, and cost £38,000. The oarving of the broad band of ivory which runs round the frame employed four workmen for 18 months. To secure an* elephant's task large enough for the ornamentation of the h'erfbV occupied several hunters a period of seven months, and their expenses amounted to £4000. The bedstead- hanging.' are of, specially-d'e-' ' signed damask, at £Z a yard. "The decoration of the walls, panelled in Louis XV. style, with most elaboratej carvings, heavily gilded on a background •of white enamel, cost over £12,000. The window curtains, including curtain rings and fastenings of duiv gold, came to about £3000. * „ The wardrobe, washstand, dressing table, and one or two other fittings accounted for £53,000. And the chairs, of solid carved ivory, inlaid with ebony and gold,, cost £8000. Altogether, the fitting up of that bedroom cost £193,000.