PRESENTATION TO THE POPE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 30, 18 November 1887, Page 15

PRESENTATION TO THE POPE.

(Dunedin Evening Star, November 15.) THB cabinet dts'gned and manufactured by Messrs Scoullar and Chieholm to contain the presentation volumes of the Catholic organ of New Zealand, the Tablet, and which is to berffered r>y the clergy of this diocese to His Holiness the Pope on the occasion of hiR sacerdotal jubilee is now on exhibition in Me-ers Scoullar and Cbisholm's warehouse. It is a remarkably fine specimen of art cabinetwork, and is a production of which the manufacturers may well feel proud. Like the casket which was made some mon'hs ago for presentation to Queen Victoria this c binet is constructed entirely out of native timner, the object the designer had in view being the exhibition in the most fff. ctive way of the wonderful beauty" and marking of the New Zealand timber. The use of carving has been advisedly avoided. To send any specimen, no matter how elaborate, of the carver's work to Rome, would be indeed to '• send coals to Newcastle." The magnificent examples of the art which are to be found in the Tatican Museum and in numerous other places would dwarf entirely any of the weak efforts likely to emanate from this youDg Colony. But, as a matter of fact, the absenc r of cirving is not at all noticeable. The different gr«ins and markings placed in juxtaposition more than occupy the place carving would have filled, and the result, avertable triumph of the cabinetmaker's skill, more than justifies the exclusion of the other art. Almost every variety of timber suitable for cabinet purposes has been introduced into the cabinet, as the following list will show : — Kauri, tawbai (red birch), miki-miki, New Zealand ebony, puriri, figured tawhai, makai, red koke-koke, totara knot, maple knot, figured totara, light rewi, ribbonwood, pukatea (broadleaf), rimu knot, mauogaoai, red rewi, (honeysuckle), bokaki, rimu (red pine). The cabinet has been designed in the usual manner, sfanding on a plinth, and surmounted by a cornice and frieze, upon which much thought has evidently been expended. The dimensions are as follows :— Height, 3ft. in. ; width, 2ft. sin. ; and depth, lft. 4in. The door and its panel are, however, the most important portions of the cabinet, judging from the amount of work which has been placed upo" them. There is a profusion of ornamentation both in inlaying and in moulding, and yet the effect is not marred by any suggestion of it being overdone. On the contrary, it has a most chaste and artistic appearance ; a result which would have been impossible to attain bad the decoration not b^en kept within the limits. The leadir g lines of the design, the motifs has evidently been taken from Renaissance sources, as the framiug of the door will show, and the bands of inlaying, and the inner framing, all lead up gradually to the centre of the door, where is placed a cross cut in white mokai, on a fielded groundwork of red kokekoke. All thesur rounding ornamentation has been made subservient to this, and although other points force them selvee upon one's atteution, still the cross in the centre is the leading and most prominent feature. The band of inlay on the outer frame of the door runs right round the stiles and rails, and is a beautiful specimen of the rimu knot, This wood is one of the most beautiful examples of its genus that we have seen, and it will be certain to command the admiration of those accustomed even to the beautiful woods used in some of the Continental workshops. This band of rimn knot is bordered by a narrow width of red rewi (honeysuckle) taken from the heart of the tree, and this again is bordered by a line of bokaki. The panel is slightly raised above the surface of the framing, and is finished off by a moulding in maungaoai, similar mouldings being run round the inner framing. The most striking feature of the outer frame of the panel is an inlaid piece of honeysuckle, which is arranged •' herring-bone " fashion. The eff-'Ct of this is to make it appear aa if they were panels standing up from the

frame instead of being inlaid flush with the Burface. These are surrounded by lines of pukaka and nbbonwood, the latter forming a sort cf Greek key at the corner, which has a very pretty appearance. The figured totara, maple knot, and totara knot, which are ÜBed for the panels of the centre and outer frames respectively will attract attention on account of their beautiful giain and unusual marking!. We must not omit to mention the device of the shamrock, which is inlaid in puriri at the top and bottom of the door. The plinth has been kept studiously plain, bo aa not to detract attention from th« more important work of the door above. It is made of rimu, and has a moulding of red tawbai running round its upper edge. The frieze of the cornice is dec >rated by a moulding circular band of rimu, into the front of which is inserted a block of red kohekohe, beariag the inscription, in gilt lettering : '• Ntcw Zkaland Tablet, 1873 to 1887." The cabinet is finished off behind by a moulded panel in rimu, and will bear inspection as well behind as in front. The interior is lined with a maroon plush. Messrs. Scoullar and Chisbolm are to be congratulated on their latest production, which, we feul sure, will attract much attention both here and at Rome.

The fourteen volumes of the Tablet which will occupy the interior of the cabinet have been for gutue days past in the hands of Messrs. Fergusson anJ Mitchell. They are full bouud in dark green morocco, with light green panels at the corners, on each of which appears a golden harp, and each volume bears the Papal arms. The edges have been double gilt, and altogether the binding has boen executed in a manner that must give entire satisfaction. Ace >mpanyiijg the casket it a large album constructed by VU'D. Scoullar and Chißholm in a style uniform with the cabinet. This album will contain views of the Cathedral. One of these is a drawing by Mr. Peire ; the others, seven photographs, showing four views of the interior, two of the exterior, and one of the convent. The photographs were taken direct by Mr. Burton on 18in plates— the largest eiz^ worked here — and are admitted by all who have Men them to be in Mr. Burton's beat style.