ART TREASURES.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1922, Page 6

ART TREASURES.

A UNIQUE EXHIBITION. . > The lover of the artistic will find much to set his heart aglow on examining the unique collection of art treasures and curios now on exhibition at 'the New Plymouth Soldiers’ Club. The collector and owner of the exhibition is Mr. J. M. Schapiro, who was previously _in New Plymouth in 1916, and who is a connoisseur who has made a life study of his work. The exhibition precedes a sale of these valuables to be conducted Iby Messrs. Webster Bros, to-morrow, and the opportunity is presented to the public of obtaining comparatively cheaply—indeed at their own price—art treasures which, in many cases and under ordinary circumstances, money could not buy. “A room hung with pictures is a room hung with thoughts,” said Sir Joshua Reynolds, himself a great painter, and the truth of this saying must appeal to the imagination of the connoisseur as he views the wonderful collection of paintings which occupy two sides of the room. Here, side by side, are paintings by the old masters, by semi-modern artists, and by artists of later days. Of special interest are seven pictures Iby our own self-taught New Zealand artist, W. G. Baker, who unfortunately went blind. His scenic paintings are veritable gems of color and art, the artist having painted with the hand what he saw with the eye. Close at hand are two oil’ paintings of Thornbury Castle, Gloustershire, by Vincent, two small pictures which are recognised as the finest of their class. A conspicuous painting is a work by Francesco Albano, an Italian painter of the sixteenth century, entitled “Olympic Stars.” Two oil panels, the work of the Renaissance School, attract attention and I miration because of the delicacy of the work put intq them. They were first engraved in wood and then inlaid, a work requiring infinite skill and patience, combined with a true love of art. “The Girl and the Ape” is an oil canvas bv that famous artist Rembrandt. Paul Rubens’ original of “The Descent from the Cross,” is among the collection, whilst other paintings which quickly catch and captivate the eye include ‘“The Blacksmith” (Sir J. N. Paton), “The Piggery” (G. Moreland). “An Old Shepherd” (Romney), “Lot and His Daughters” (Jacob Jordaens), and “Fruit” (W. Hunt). . Pictures of considerable historical value are amongst th*e collection, notably “King George IV.” (H. P. Bone), “lAdv Flora McDonald” (W. Hogarth). “Midshipman Jarvis, Earl of St. Vincent” (Sir T. Lawrence), “King William IV.” (J. S. Copley), and a portrait in oils of the famous actor, David Garrick (by Sir Joshua Reynolds). These are but a few of the paintings in the collection. They have to be seen and carefully examined if their pure beauty and poetry of expression are to be appreciated as they should. We pass on to the unique array ot silver, antique jewellery, and precious stones. These, it may be mentioned in passing, were, like the paintings, given to the nation in the early days of the war to assist the British Red Cross and kindred societies in raising funds to carry on their work. Possessors of these treasures vied with each other in generosity, and the result was the amassing of an array unique even at Christies’, London, where the various works of art were sold. A large proportion of the silveNraije is ’rom the Valuable collection of Baron Rothschild, all of which is hall-marked solid silver, which is to be offered at the price of nlat-ed goods. Prominent in this splendid array stands a jardiniere m silver gilt a wonderful and intricate piece of work made for the famous banquet .riven (by Baron Rothschild to Queen Victoria ’in 1887 on the occasion of her inbilee. The main structure is pierced scroll work, bearing medallions at the sides and ends, and is supported by four feet, exquisitely wrought in a shell and floral design. The original cost of this work can only be guessed at. Nearby is another piece of work from the same collection. This a massive centre piece, made in 1837. having as its basic idea the representation of plenty. Two splendidly sculptured female figures stand on the plith supporting a massive torch which forms the support “ the crystal bowl. In the plith lie, «n up-turned basket with its “nteuts scattered about, thus completing the idea of plenty and prodigality. Other specimens of the silversmith s art include a fruit dish, consisting of a female figure seated beneath a tree, rte branches of which support a crystal .bowl- a calice and cover in parcec gilt, th), chasteness of the design the charming arabesques, and the combination of Alternating silver and gilt panels and bosses all conspiring to please and charm- a beautiful fruit bowl, pierced and™iand-embossed to show Cupid enthroned in flowers; a decorated vase of •n-aoe-vine-. a coffee pot made in 1837, Jnd P a cruet with seven cut-glass Settles made 1857. All these are handworked by workmen who took r.ride over their work. Ibeir enon. £ ere aided by the fact that silver more than any other metal, lends itself readily to the expression of artistic ' Another -section of untold value is the collection of jewellery, cameos and curios, including a s.lver-cased Russian ikon, painted on wood of the cross. Pearl, emerald, coral, torquo.se goldall these precious stones and metals are wondrously worked into brackets bangles, ear-rings, brooches, lockets, ad infinitum. ’ Space permits of only a brief and hurried survey of these valuable art treasures, but the true lover of art.mat see and enjoy for himself, for the collection is now on exhibition at the Soldiers’ Club, King Street, and Mr. Schapiro will be only too pleased to show anyone round and explain various matters ’connected with the collection. The sale takes place to-morrow (Wednesday). whilst the exhibition will .be open to-dav till fl p.m- All goods must be sold as this is Mr. Schapiro’s last sale before leaving for Petrograd in April. _