VANDERBILT PALACE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1149, 15 September 1883, Page 3

VANDERBILT PALACE.

The following description of the interior of the Vanderbilt palace is given by Mr S S Benjamin in the Magazine of Art : ‘ The drawing room is nearly square, It presents what might be called a harmony in crimson and gold. The walls are hung with figured velvet of pale crimson, which in certain lights assumes the effect of poach blossom. The carpet is of the same hue. The vaulted ceiling, which is in pale azure, picked out with gold, with figured gold in the groinings, is united to the walls by a noble cornice of carved wood, covered with gold and pale metallic green gilding on a ground of mother-of-pearl, Over each of the three massive gold encrused doors are cherubs, and on either hand of each doorpost stands a pillar of onyx, jewl inlaid, supporting a gilded sphere whicli encloses a cluster of lights. The abruptness of the angles is modified by an arrangement consisting of pedestals supporting female figures, one-third the size of life, in solid silver. In either graceful hand these royal maidens sustain a spear with a circlet of jewelled metal attached,, behind which is a diadem of light, while in the rear of each are mirrors of burnished crystal. The west entrance is flanked by two cabinets by Barbedienne, inlaid with iridescent mother-of-pearl, and bearing five Limoges enamels by Sayer. A superb gilded table (carved in New York) stands near the southern end ; the top is of the same exquisite material as the cabinets. The seats of the Louis Seize chairs are covered with costly Chinese embroideries. A cloisonne cabinet by Barbedienne, one of the finest pieces produced in Europe, and other noble ohjets cl’art. contribute to the magnificence of this drawing room—the handsomest in all America, When the lights are burning its splendour is akin to the gorgeous dreams of oriental fancy; and yet, with all this dazzling opulence, there is no hint of tawdriness.’