Art and gems

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dents.

HAROLD B. LEE LIBRARY

BBIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY

PROVO, UTAH

d>0 N IP E NTS.

PAGE

Pigeon M. de la Rosa 4

Choosing the Bride C. Makoffsky 6

Monastery at Briex W. Riefstahl 22

Russian Wedding-Feast C. Makoffsky 24

Threading the Needle P. Epp 28

Judgment of Paris C. Makoffsky 30

Young Shepherds H. Salentin 35

Sailor's Fireside Otto Kirberg 37

Le Lendemain de Noce Max Volkart 44

La Belle Russe C. Makoffsky 46

Precious Stones 47

Mother's Darling Oswald Stieger 55

Cupid at Work 56

Charm of Gifts 57

Papa Joins the Dance P. Baumgartner 59

Interrupted Serenade Luigi Monteverde 60

Invitation to Dance P. Baumgartner 61

Fishermen E. Duecker 62

Friars' Dinner .... P. Baumgartner 63

* * *

Bavarian Tyrol Albert Zimmermann 64

Copyrighted, 1891, by C. W. Schumann.

WILLIAM GREEN, PRINTER, 324-328 PEARL STREET, NEW vQRK.

3

PIGEON. M. de la Rosa, pinx.

Original owned by Charles Wm. Schumann.

CHOOSING THE BRIDE

A PAINTING

By the RUSSIAN ARTIST,

Constantine IMaLkoffsky,

OF

ST. PETERSBURG.

Choosing the Bi^ide.

THIS PAINTING BY C. MAKOFFSKY ILLUSTRATES A MOST
INTERESTING EVENT IN RUSSIAN HISTORY.

IN 1645 Alexis Michailowitsch was declared Czar of
Russia.

He was only sixteen years of age when this important
event occurred.

At this time his tutor, the Boyar Boris Iwanowitsch
Morosoff, assumed almost absolute rule.

Although he was a man who inspired high and low
with a sense of fear, and his power was acknowledged
and dreaded by all, still the intelligent young Czar
allowed him no arbitrary action.

With a keen perception of governmental affairs
unusual in one of his age, he permitted no decree to
pass without his sanction.

7

Morosoff, who was shrewd and calculating, endeav-
ored not to lose the grace of his sovereign, for he wished
to retain his influence in national affairs.

Uneasy regarding his future, he projected a plan,
whereby he might strengthen the ties between the
young Czar and himself.

He carefully intimated to the youthful sovereign that
it was time he should think of marriage.

The Czar was now eighteen, and the thought had
never yet presented itself to his mind.

" Marriage," he repeated ; "why, the people will laugh
at me, and say I am but a boy."

Morosoff answered him that the people, as well as the
Boyars, desired his marriage. It was indeed the demand
of the country.

"And whom should I marry?" the young Czar asked,
with a blush.

" I have not yet selected a bride for your Majesty,"
Morosoff replied. "The ancient custom is, as your
Majesty knows, to send reliable emissaries throughout
the empire to invite the fairest maidens of the oldest
and noblest families to come to Moscow. You have but
to command, my Sovereign, and your Majesty may then
choose from many the one you graciously deign to
love."

8

"Love? you said love?" Alexis repeated, interroga-
tively. " And does marriage with a Czar naturally
involve love ?"

Although he had never given the subject thought,
still some instinct, heaven-born in the soul of man,
taught him that Love was sovereign of the world, and
not subject to command.

He shrank from the mode of marriage proposed by
his tutor. He felt that the event was too serious to
be decided in that manner.

He desired something more than a mere introduction
before he chose his life companion.

Finally he arranged to have his sisters, the princesses,
invite the maidens to a private concert at the palace,
where he would be present, unknown to them.

This plan did not suit the scheming Morosoff.

He intended to surprise and confuse the young man,
and induce him to choose Marie Miloslawski, while he
himself would marry Anna, her sister.

Then, as the brother-in-law of the Czar, he would
retain and augment his power.

To the Czar he spoke in glowing terms of Marie.

He enthusiastically described her beauty of face and
character, and suggested that as her family was one of
the oldest, and her pedigree irreproachable, no other

9

maiden could be so safely recommended or prove more
acceptable to the country.

Still, of course, he could not do otherwise than sub-
mit to the positive decision of the Czar himself.

Among the six young ladies who were selected from
among over two hundred and found morally, mentally
and physically eligible, there was, besides the two sisters
recommended by Morosoff, a young lady named Eufemia
Vsevolodski.

She lived with her parents at Kassimoff, in a retired
country seat in the province of Rjazan.

Greatly renowned was she for her beauty and childlike
innocence.

When summoned to attend the concert, she obeyed
timidly.

The gorgeous splendor of the brilliantly-lighted palace
overpowered her.

Embarrassed and abashed, she took her seat with the
princesses.

Musicians appeared at the entrance of the Terem, a
room exclusively for ladies.

When they played the sweet national tune of her
own province, Eufemia looked up, forgetting her timidity
in the enjoyment of the air.

Her eyes encountered the fixed gaze of one of the
10

musicians. Indignant and alarmed, she tried to turn
away, but her eyes disobeyed her will. He was so young,
so handsome ! She was like one charmed by a spell.
His pale face blushed when his eyes met hers.

" His face seems so familiar to me," she mused ;
" surely I have met him before — yet how dare he, a
common musician, gaze at me like "that ! It is an
insult."

Still, she could not resist wishing that he might con-
tinue to gaze at her.

That same evening after the concert, the Czar walked
up and down his room in deep agitation.

He loved! His face expressed infinite rapture, and
then again it was shadowed in deepest gloom with the
apprehension that she might not reciprocate his passion.

Morosoff, who had accompanied him to his room,
watched him with penetrating eyes, as if to read his
most secret thoughts.

At length, in sweetest accents, he asked :

" Well, Gossudar,* have you nothing to tell me ? How
are you pleased with the maidens we have selected for
you? Have we mistaken your Majesty's tastes, or did
you find one to your fancy ?"

* My Lord.
II

In silence the Czar cast down his eyes.

He knew not what to say. He felt it would be a
sacrilege to betray what agitated his whole soul.

It would be a profanation. For the first time the
presence of Morosoff, his tutor, his fatherly friend, was
annoying to him.

But Morosoff did not intend to leave before consum-
mating his object.

" My sweetest child," he continued, "brightest sun
on earth, embrace me with all your heart. Let me
look into your soul! Confide in me as you have done
heretofore. Tell me which of those charming angels
has captured your heart. Do not be ashamed, dear
child, to converse freely with me! There is no wrong
in loving. 'Love is divine!' Let me share your joy
as I have ever shared your sorrow! For which of the
maidens shall I say my prayer? Whom do you com-
mand me, your ever devoted servant, to call my su-
perior ?"

Although he embraced the Czar with ardor, the lat-
ter would not reveal his secret.

" Leave me, Iwanytsch," he cried. " Leave me alone
with my dreams. My heart moves like the waves of
an agitated ocean. I can tell you nothing now — I
know nothing myself. I wish to sleep. You yourself

12

have told me that I must arise early to-morrow, for it
is the all-important day when I must choose a bride
for life ! "

Morosoff, furious at heart, but suppressing his anger,
kissed the Czar good-night.

After all, he thought, Marie might be the chosen one.

Alexis passed a sleepless night of tempestuous emo-
tion.

Early in the morning he went direct to the chapel
next his room, where generations of his ancestors had
said their prayers.

In tears he knelt. Never in his life had he prayed
so fervently and so long. Yet what he begged of God
he scarcely knew himself.

The palace was crowded with nobles. Many of the
first families in the city were wild with excitement and
hope.

The master of ceremonies was overwhelmed with
the magnitude of his duties.

Eufemia only was calm. She had decided not to be
presented to the Czar.

Why should she be ?

Did she not love Dimitry, her friend, who had grown
up from childhood with her ? She knew nothing, cared

13

nothing, about a more ardent love than that of a
sister.

Then she thought again of the musician whom she
had seen the evening previous, and tried vainly to
forget him.

It was only-after persistent entreaties that her parents
persuaded her to go to the palace. They would be
ruined, they told her, if she insulted the Czar by refus-
ing to be introduced.

Even after she had consented to go, Eufemia resolved
that if the Czar's choice fell upon her, she would beg
him on bended knees to select another. She could
never love him, and she would prefer death to marriage
without love.

Morosoff kept places for Marie and Anna near the
throne. Eufemia timidly remained in the rear.

Indifferent to the important event about to occur,
she realized now that she was enchanted by that
stranger, the musician, despite the fact that she had
no expectation of ever again beholding his beautiful
face.

So absorbed and unassuming was she, that her rivals
scarcely noticed her presence.

The exciting moment came. The master of cere-
14

monies announced the coming of the Czar. The ladies
trembled with expectation and hope.

Eufemia looked mechanically in the direction of the
entrance.

The Boyar Morosoff came marching in front.

When she saw that pale-faced, black-bearded wizard,
with the evil eye, she shuddered. Unable to endure
his gaze, she cast down her eyes.

[The description immediately following- refers to the painting.]

The Czar took his place on the throne. He was ap-
pareled in his gold-embroidered robes of state, his cape
and cap radiant with precious stones.

With a stately bow, he greeted the assembled audi-
ence.

Morosoff presented the Czar with a ring and a hand-
kerchief on a silver plate, and excitedly whispered :
" There is Marie — the one right before your Majesty ! "
With trembling hands the young Czar took the offered
gifts and stood immovable, his eyes intently searching
for some one.

Morosoff pressed his hand upon his throbbing heart.
His vulture orbs followed the movements of his master.

What ! he overlooks Marie — and even so her sister I
and now his eyes rest upon the face of another !

15

The distorted face of the Boyar grinned with ill-con-
cealed wrath. His eyes flashed with fury.

Eufemia carelessly raised her head. There on the
throne, clad in the resplendent robe of the Czar, she
beheld her adorable musician! In the surprise of joy
and alarm she almost fainted.

The Czar attempted to speak, but found no words
for his emotion.

After an exciting moment of suspense, he hastened
to Eufemia, presenting her with the ring and handker-
chief, the tokens of his preference.

With faltering voice, he whispered : " 'Tis you, 'tis
you whom I do choose — you alone shall be my wife, my
Czarina ! "

Under the excitement of the moment her strength
failed her, and the young Czar caught her drooping
form in his arms.

Her eyes, eloquent with love, looked into his ! Their
souls met in infinite happiness.

Truly had Morosoff said, " Love is divine."

Then the Czar took her hand, and turning to the
assembled people, declared her his chosen bride.

Morosoff was the last one to offer congratulations.
16

In his heart he said : " My will shall yet be obeyed ;
this chosen bride shall never be Czarina."

He was wily and powerful, and had a herd of un-
scrupulous men who were ready to obey his command.
These conspirators found confederates among the court
ladies, who acted as attendants of the young bride.

Instinctively Eufemia feared this evil-eyed man, and
kept her faithful old nurse with her, watching night
and day, to thwart any attempt upon her young life.

Great preparations were made in the palace.

The day approached when the public betrothal
should take place. Suddenly a rumor was circulated
that the Czar's bride was a victim to the disease known
as Demoniacism.

She shrieked at night, and was often found in
spasms.

When Morosoff was informed of it, he slyly feigned
disbelief.

On the day for the public betrothal, maids were ap-
pointed to dress the bride in the presence of royal
ladies. Mauka Charitonowa braided her rich hair with
strings of pearls, and twisted it so tight and close to
her head that she screamed with pain.

Vainly did she beg to have it loosened.

17

All agreed that it was in proper style for the Czar's
bride, and that the Court etiquette demanded that she
be attired this way, and no other.

They loaded her down with jewels, around the neck,
on the shoulders, arms, hands, and ears. They forced
a diadem on her head, cutting a deep groove in her fore-
head. She called for her faithful nurse to remove it, but
the conspirators had banished the nurse from the palace.

They looked at the bride, admiring her with mali-
cious smiles.

With racking pains in her head and limbs, Eufemia
was scarcely able to move.

They took her by the arms and almost dragged
her into the grand salon, rilled with boyars, ambassa-
dors, priests, officers, and ladies.

She saw the "evil eye" gazing triumphantly upon her.

The blood rushed to her head. Green and red rings
flickered before her eyes.

Just as the young Czar extended his hand to receive
her, all became darkness. She screamed and fell swoon-
ing upon the floor.

The young Czar, who was but a moment before the
happiest man on earth, uttered a loud cry and lifted her
death-like form in his arms, weeping bitterly.

The Boyar Morosoff alone was self-possessed.
18

Coldly, he gave the signal to the ladies' maids to
carry Eufemia away. Then, in a solemn, loud voice,
he exclaimed : " From what a terrible fate has the Lord
mercifully saved our beloved Czar and his people!
When it was rumored that the chosen bride of our
young sovereign was a bewitched demoniac, I did not
believe it. I called it old woman's gossip. But the
Lord is gracious. He has opened our eyes in time to
save us. Let us charitably call the unfortunate woman
a victim of epilepsy."

" Epilepsy " passed from mouth to mouth. Nobody
doubted it, and many were glad, for it renewed their
hopes of yet becoming the chosen bride.

Morosoff was triumphant, but the Czar, sobbing,
covered his face with his hands, and shut himself for
days alone in his room.

One old man in the assembled populace pushed
his way through the excited groups, and cried in the
face of Morosoff: "Epilepsy? You lie! My daughter
is well. She never was sick in her life. You are doing
this to ruin my child !"

Morosoff called the guard, saying coldly : " Seize
that old maniac, and put him in irpns; he must be
punished for his audacity. He has tried to deceive our
beloved monarch, and now he insults me !"

19

Boyar Putschkin, a friend of the old man, saved
him from being put to torture, but he was sent with
his family to Siberia.

Eufemia's state of mind bordered on insanity. In later
years she received proposals of marriage from men of
the best families, but she remained single, and to her
dying day treasured the ring and handkerchief as sacred
tokens.

It was more than a year before Alexis even partially
recovered from the cruel shock to his affections.

But his character was changed, and a dull apathy
took possession of him. Nothing cheered or inter-
ested him, and the wild sport of hunting bears was his
only diversion.

Years afterward, entirely under the influence of Moro-
soff, he married Marie Miloslawski.

She died in 1669, and two years later he married his
second wife, Natalie Kirillowna Naryschkina.

His son, born May 30, 1672, followed him to the
throne, and was known to the world as Peter the
Great.

Years after that memorable day, Alexis was made ac-
quainted with and convinced of the fact that his be-
loved Eufemia had never been ill, and that her ruin
was plotted and carried out in the palace. He rein-

20

stated the family in their former position at Kassimoff,
but it was then too late to redress the grosser wrongs
which had been perpetrated, and resigned to his fate,
though with great pain, he placed a restriction upon
their ever coming to Moscow.

21

THE CELEBRATED PAINTING

A RUSSIAN WEDDING FEAST

Of the Seventeenth Century

BY

CONSTANTINE MAKOFFSKY

OF

St. Vetersburg

Description by

CHARLES WM. SCHUMANN

New York

p Russian Bedding-Feast

OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY,

BEFORE the time of Peter the Great, when the old
Boyar families of Russia were at the zenith of
power and wealth, they often surpassed the emperors in
the display of wealth which they made at their wedding
feasts. Antique chests were called upon to contribute
their contents of precious jewels, plate, silver and golden
goblets, and chalices of unique shape, to testify the re-
nown of the house, to prove its hospitality, and to orna-
ment and beautify the happy day of family history.

Betrothals, in Russia, in the times of the Boyars,
which this painting represents, were frequently made
by the parents for their children while still quite
young. Their daughters, during their education, lived

25

in strictest retirement, unacquainted with society, asso-
ciating only with their parents and attendants — a custom
partly observed to this day in France. When the wed-
ding day approached the bride received a guardian, or
Lady of Ceremony — an elderly relative — who was the
intimate adviser of the young bride, and took great
pains that the ancient traditional rules should be strictly
observed. The Rites of the Church and some other
very singular traditional customs before, during, and
after the Divine service, must be omitted in this brief
description. The artist has selected and charmingly
represents the first appearance of the newly-married
pair in society.

The young husband and wife have entered the room
and stand at the head of the table. He now with ad-
miration and tenderest love, for the first time beholds
her unveiled. Sympathizing with her embarrassment,
he gently gazes into the blushing face of her who is to
be his life's companion ; while she, with drooping eyes,
cannot look up to him. The company around the table
greet them, and wait with filled cups to drink to their
happiness, when the young husband shall have given
his wife the husband-kiss. The timid bride, sensitive
at being the subject of curiosity, conscious that every
eye rests on her, a picture of innocence and bashfulness
26

hesitates,, the rtiert urging, while the women, pleased
with her modesty, encourage her with loving words.
Even her guardian tenderly ushers her onward, pleading
earnestly in favor of the old custom. At the lower
end of the table a little group are merrily enjoying the
joke of the silken slipper of the bride, of which they
have obtained possession and hidden away.

The highest prize, " Medaille d'Honneur," was awarded to this paint-
ing at the International Exposition, 1885, at Antwerp, where it was
bought, with all rights of reproduction, by its present owner, C. W. Schu-
mann, of New York.

Copyrighted 1885, BY Chas. Wm. Schumann.

27

THREADING THE NEEDLE. P. Epp, pinx.

Original owned by Charles Wm. Schumann.

THE

Judgment of Paris

B ©amttng

BY THE RUSSIAN ARTIST

CONSTANTINE MAKOFFSKY

OF

St. ^Petersburg

Description by

Charles Wm. Schumann,

New York.

©he Judgment op Paf^is.

BY CHARLES WM. SCHUMANN.

IT is peculiar to fine art that in search of poetic
subjects, the artist will generally choose from the
ideals of the ancient Greeks. In mythology their good
gods represent heavenly attributes embodied in beau-
tiful figures bringing the spirit nearer to the human
mind. These attributes, making up the nature of benef-
icent gods, were reverenced by the intelligent, but were
not more worshipped as idols than our present-day
images.

The philosophers, especially Plato, over four hundred
years before the advent of Christianity, regarded Love
as a purely spiritual affection subsisting between the
sexes, relating to the mind only. They recognized

3i

in Venus the celestial representation of love, uniting
heaven and earth, chaste, superior to desires of passion,
embodied in the most perfect and sublime beauty of
the human form, floating in an enchanted atmosphere,
and enlivened by sweet cherubs. Where her foot first
touched the ground, the Rose, the emblem of love,
sprang up into existence. Wherever she dwells on
earth all flowers unite to glorify her surroundings. She
possesses the charm of imparting love to all who re-
gard her with a pure mind. This is the Venus who is
the immortal ideal of the great philosophers.

The Judgment of Paris, like the legend of Psyche,
"the soul," is one of the loveliest fables of mythol-
ogy. When, by the wish of Jupiter, his favorite hero,
Peleus, married the stately Thetis, all the gods ap-
peared at the magnificent wedding-feast with precious
gifts, indicating sweet sentiments. Eris, alone, the God-
dess of Discord, was not invited. To avenge such dis-
regard she came unnoticed, and while the happy guests
were at the height of merriment around the table, she
tossed among them a golden apple, bearing the in-
scription, " To the most beautiful." Instantly harmony
was interrupted, for it was an acknowledged fact that,
among the many rivals, Juno, Minerva, and Venus made
equal claims to the prize. To determine the contest,

33

they begged Jupiter to decide it; but, as each in her
way was equally charming and beloved by him, and not
wishing to offend either by his preference of another,
he carefully and wisely declined, proposing that the deli-
cate question should be referred to a mortal, who
would be better qualified to judge of the beauty best
appreciated by man. They consented to ask Paris, a
handsome young shepherd, who was an unknown son
of King Priamos. To avert the misfortune of a proph-
ecy Paris was, at his birth, sent into the woods to perish,
but his life was saved by shepherds.

The simple youth was embarrassed by the request,
but he accepted the delicate charge and received the
golden apple from Hermes (Mercury) who had ac-
companied the goddesses. Blinded by their radiant
beauty, he stood timidly hesitating before the anxious
applicants. First one and then the other seemed to
deserve the prize, and then again all three appeared
to be of equal merit. To be just in his decision it
was desirable that they should appear before him
singly, as they were formed by Nature's hand. Juno
passed first, and profited by the moment to promise
that she would make him King of all Asia should he,
by giving the prize to her, make her the Queen of
Beauty. Minerva, the second, whispered that she would
33

elevate him from his low position to a noble and in-
vincible hero ; but Venus only breathed that she would
assist him in love, and endow him with the charm of
being beloved by all, if he should regard her worthy
of the prize. Charmed by the heavenly apparition of
chastity, and dazzled by her dream-like beauty, he
handed her the golden token of the Triumph of
Beauty.

"The Judgment of Paris," bought of the artist by C. W. Schumann, is
one of the paintings of the collection for which C. Makoffsky received a
Medal at the World's Fair in Paris, 1889.

34

THE YOUNG SHEPHERDS. H. Salentin, pinx.

Original owned by Charles Wm. Schumann.

DONATIONS

^Distributed from the ^Proceeds of the ^Admission Fee charged
when the ^Paintings were first put
on Exhibition.

Home for Consumptives. - Brooklyn $200 00

German Hospital New York 100 00

Mount Sinai Hospital New York 100 00

Homeopathic Hospital Brooklyn 114 25

Orthopedic Hospital New York 91 50

Eye and Ear Hospital New York 102 25

Women1s Exchange Brooklyn 135 25

Orange Memorial Hospital Orange y N.J. 59 00

Home for the Blind New York 118 25

West Side Day Nursery New York 78 75

Brooklyn Charity 13500

Helma Society Brooklyn 4000

Skin and Cancer Hosoital New York 110 75

Russian Benevolent Society New York 50 00

St. Barnabas Industrial Association New York no 00

Jersey City Hospital 256 00

Brooklyn Maternity Hospital 112 75

Female Charity Society Newark 81 75

Flushing Hospital 125 00

New York Infirmary 78 75

Home for Friendless Women Brooklyn 105 00

Melrose Charity 285 00

St. Marie's Hospital New York 40 00

University Dispensary .. New York 78 00

New York Diet Kitchen New York 26 25

Home for Women New York 83 50

United Relief Society New York 86 50

Brooklyn Trained Nurses 66 25

Wayside Home Brooklyn 34 50

Swiss Benevolent Society New York 62 00

Home for Incurables New York 34 00

Charleston Sufferers. . . 70 25

By Admission Tickets to Charity Institutions 4,015 50

Crutch and Splint Fund of the Children's Hospital,

San Francisco 170 00

The Ladies' Benevolent Society Los Angeles 163 50

Newsboys' Home Los Angeles 180 50

$7,700 00

36

THE SAILOR'S FIRESIDE. Otto Kirberg, pinx.

Original owned by Charles Wm. Schumann.

Important I^emoyal.

{From The Mercantile and Financial Times, Sept. 26th, 1891.)

We hear a great deal nowadays about the " uptown march
of trade," and the more the matter is looked into the more
clearly evident does it become that such a movement is
really one of the conspicuous forces of the age. And there
are good reasons for expecting that such a movement will
be still more strongly marked in time to come.

Among recent removals that will interest a good many of
the readers of this paper is that of Messrs. Chas. W. Schu-
mann's Sons, the old-established and celebrated importers of
fine diamonds and watches. It is forty years since the
business carried on by these gentlemen was first established,
and during the whole of that lengthy period they have
ranked as acknowledged leaders in the trade. They have
their downtown establishment at 24 John street, and for
five years their uptown establishment has been located at

39

Broadway and Seventeenth street, Union Square. But, at
length, they have found it necessary to join in the uptown
movement, and they have removed to the southwest corner
of Broadway and Twenty-second street, which gives them
not only a much better location but also considerably more
room. Messrs. Schumann's Sons have put in a new granite
front, and new walls and floors of asbestos, and have fitted
up the interior in most complete and elegant style, with the
latest and best electrical appliances, elegant chandeliers of
their own design, and so on. At the rear is a small art
gallery, in which can be seen masterpieces of art by Con-
stantine Makoffsky, and a number of other valuable paint-
ings by renowned artists.

Messrs. Schumann's Sons carry at all times a superb stock
of diamonds, watches and jewelry, and are sole agents for
the celebrated "A. Lange" watch. They cater to the very
best class of trade and carry none but strictly fine goods.
They number a large proportion of the wealthiest and most
aristocratic families of New York among their regular
customers. No house in the business bears a more honor-
able reputation than that of Chas. W. Schumann's Sons.
The members of the firm — Mr. C. W. Schumann, Jr., and
Mr. G. H. Schumann — are both widely and favorably known
and highly spoken of in both business and social circles.
We wish them great success in their new departure.

To the above editorial we would add :
4i

The location is convenient, and has the advantage of
an unobstructed north light, known to be absolutely the
best for judging the true color and quality of precious
stones.

Our personal attendance, long experience, and careful
discrimination in the distinctions and characteristics of
gems and works of art, together with our facilities
abroad, enable us to offer at all times the choicest se-
lection.

We continually keep our stock at the highest stand-
ard, and supplied with artistic diamond jewelry of the
newest designs; also complicated and plain watches,
and every article requisite for leading jewelers.

Among the noteworthy gems we would refer to a
collection of diamonds of different shades of colors,
from the deepest black to blue-white, brown, gold, pink,
green, aquamarine and opal ; also a remarkably curious
diamond, perfectly white on top, and a distinct, beauti-
ful golden color on the reverse.

A leisure hour spent in viewing our exquisite collec-
tions will well repay visitors, to whom we cordially
extend an invitation.

C. W. Schumann's Sons.

43

VALUABLE INFORMATION

For Guidance in the

Selection ok a G

IN

precious Stones

CHARLES WM. SCHUMANN

^f^bgious Stones.

Copyright, 1890, by Chas. Wm. Schumann.

IN no other business are customers so dependent
and so much obliged to rely on the knowledge
and integrity of the merchant, as in purchasing precious
stones. The following treatise will give general in-
formation and will assist the purchaser in selecting a
gem:

THE DIAMOND.

In viewing diamonds of different colors, it will re-
quire but little experience to discriminate between white,
blue-white, brown, pink, green, and all the various
shades of yellow. White, slightly tinted blue, is valued
the most, for it is well known that a touch of blue
mixed with any pure white color will improve it.
Still, the standard color for a diamond is true white,
47

To ascertain this, place an unset diamond on a sheet
of white paper, breathe on it, which will dim it for a
moment, and while dim the slightest tinge of color
will show, and can be judged as more or less devi-
ating from true white. The result of this experi-
ment on mounted diamonds is less reliable.

The merit of a diamond and its superiority over
every other stone as a jewel, is its brilliancy or fire,
the knowledge of which can be acquired only by com-
paring stones of different grades of lustre. Inexperi-
enced parties will consider a comparatively dull stone
very fine until they compare it with a brilliant gem
full of fire, seemingly emitting electric sparks.

There are mathematical laws for the shape and
respective proportions, about which even the experts
differ in opinion. This question cannot be discussed
in these brief remarks, but it is safe to accept the pro-
portions and the angles of the facets as practically
correct, if a stone, when looked at at various dis-
tances from the eye, shows no vacuum of brilliancy in
any part, the fire being evenly distributed and the
strength the same over the entire front of the stone.

Imperfections are the next consideration, and these
consist in irregular shapes, flaws and black spots in the
stone. Such stones are depreciated, and the value is

48

ascertained by appraisement, judging the deduction to
be made according to the extent and location of the
defects.

Subject a drop of water to a most powerful micro-
scope and the consumer might not wish to see the
result. So, the demand for perfection in precious
stones should not exceed the capacity of a good eye-
sight, and must reasonably be limited within the power
of the microscope known as the watchmaker's eye-
glass. This is the limit generally accepted by the
trade as " microscopically perfect."

It is disheartening to connoisseurs to see a real gem
rejected for a nominal imperfection. Many diamonds,
dull as a piece of glass, if otherwise perfect, are fre-
quently bought, especially for engagement rings, in
preference to beautiful brilliants, which, having the
full merits and requirements of a fine diamond, are
rejected on account of a little speck, while in fact
these are preferable stones in all cases where the
expense prevents securing perfection.

THE RUBY.

The ruby is at present the most valuable of all gems,
exceeding even the diamond in value. Those too dark
49

or too light are not highly esteemed. The color must
be a clear rich red, without violet or brownish tint.

Among the imperfections, as, black spots and flaws, is
frequently the silk, which is a little invisible fissure in the
inside of the stone, detected by turning the stone slowly
to admit the light from different directions, when a
peculiar silky sheen will appear in the stone as the
light strikes the surface, called silk, in a certain angle
to the eye. This applies to all precious stones having
little rents.

Great allowances are made for imperfections in the
ruby, and the most fastidious purchaser will accept a
ruby as real fine with shortcomings which he would object
to if it were a diamond.

THE SAPPHIRE.

The sapphire in its mineral properties is identi-
cally the same stone as the ruby, and it may be called
a "blue ruby," for it differs in name only on account of
the color, which varies from white to the deepest blue
and black. The clear intense blue, without purple or
inky tint, is the most valuable. There are also sapphires
of other colors, but these are very little used.

The imperfections are in every respect the same as
those mentioned in the ruby.

50

THE EMERALD.

The emerald, though a softer stone, ranks with the
first class of gems, on account of its beautiful, unsur-
passed, rich, velvety, green color, the pleasing effect, both
by day and candlelight, has made it a favorite gem. It
is rarely found perfect, and the saying, "an emerald
without a flaw " has passed into a proverb.

THE OPAL.

This magnificent gem is admitted among the precious
stones on account of its charming beauties ; it is really
the most beautiful gem in existence. It combines in it-
self the colors of all the other stones, and seems as
if it were especially created for man to feast on its
marvelous display of the lovely hues of the celestial rain-
bow, created, unfit for any mechanical purpose — drilling
rocks or cutting glass — but to be admired as an orna-
ment only, and to be appreciated for its virtue of being
the only gem which defies imitation.

The fascination of the grate fire does not compare with
the charm of the opal under an electric light. Even at
candle light, it seems as if it had life within itself, as the
least motion produces new combinations of all the soft
shades of the prismatic colors.

5i

This eulogy is intended only to do justice to the much-
neglected opal, and it is not calculated to introduce that
gem, for jewelers would find it very difficult to supply a
general demand, as stones of the above description are
rare specimens of the Hungarian "noble opal," with flakes
of fiery colors distributed throughout the stone.

A superstition, that the opal is unlucky, originated
undesignedly through one of Sir Walter Scott's ro-
mances. It is strange and mortifying that in our en-
lightened age there can exist and be entertained a prej-
udice, which is, like all superstition, against reason.

THE TURQUOISE.

The turquoise, a stone of pleasing sky-blue color,
though modestly disclaiming the name of " precious
stone," makes, in combination with diamonds, a beautiful
piece of jewelry.

The Persian turquoise is the hardest, and retains its
pale-blue color best. The most valuable are those of a
deep sky-blue, and some, appreciated by connoisseurs,
have attained very high prices. Most of the stones, es-
pecially the Persian, have brown crevices on the back,
which are not considered imperfections unless they ex-
tend over the sides and front. Care must be taken not

52

to bring the turquoise in contact with acids, soap,
camphor, or with musk or other scents, as they are apt to
affect the color.

THE PEARL.

The proverb, " an emerald without a flaw," might well
be applied to the pearl. For a gem-pearl suggests the
remark: "It is too good to be real." It is a most diffi-
cult task to match pearls, and in a string of pearls in-
variably some will be slightly irregular in shape, tint, or
now and then have a slight defect.

The general rule for a pearl is to be round, white, have
a smooth and clean surface and lustre ; that is, it must
not be dull, as if it were chalk. Still, the pear or drop
shape pearls are preferable to the round form as pend-
ants to brooches and necklaces, and also for pin heads;
even the button-shape pearl is desirable for some par-
ticular work.

Black Oriental pearls, with a metallic appearance of ox-
idized silver, resembling the iridescent dark green of the
peacock, also some of the fancy-colored Wisconsin
pearls, command the highest prices.

As a piece of jewelry of refined taste, there is no or-
nament so appropriate, so delicate, so poetic as a pearl
necklace for a bride, to be worn at her wedding.

53

Mythically, the pearl was dedicated to Venus. It is
sacred to love and beauty.

An undefined whisper about pearls says that they sig-
nify " tears." So they do, provided the pearl necklace
made a present be of such magnitude and surprise to the
dear recipient when she, with a thousand thanks and
" tears of joy " in her eyes will repay the attention and love
of the happy donor, and count each pearl as representing
a happy anniversary of that memorable day.

PRICES.

It would be an unsatisfactory task to fix any price on
precious stones on account of the great difference in
quality, beauty and perfection.

Statements of the chemical composition, specific
gravity, etc., of the different stones are omitted as not
coming within the scope of this treatise, which is in-
tended, not to confuse the amateur, but to contain only
such points and information as will make it also in-
teresting to many in the trade, while inexperienced
purchasers will acquire a general knowledge which, at the
same time, will suggest the advisability of relying for
further information on a responsible house of good re-
pute.

Chas. Wm. Schumann.

54

MOTHER'S DARLING. Oswald Stieger,

Original owned by Charles Wm. Schumann.

(<5he (shai^m op Gifts.

By Charles Wm. Schumann.

Oft in my reveries I have mused,
What has become of all the Gods
Of ancient Greek Mythology —
Of those sweet fairy-tales of old
The ideal fables full of soul.

It seems they all have fled the world,

In fear that they might be subdued

To modern times of realism,

To materialistic prose.

Yet in my dreams, "the God of Love,"

Divested of his earthly form,

And glorified, remains with me;

He dwells in heaven and on earth—

With splendor and humility.

There is no heart so desolate,

Where he hath not a cosy home;

He always finds some ways and means

To suit the ever changing times.
In advancing cultivation,
He, sweet Cupid, came to ponder
If his weapons were yet suited,
When his arrow penetrated
But one heart without the other,
When love, not reciprocated,
Changed it into bitter hatred.
Then unto himself he murmured:

57

"Yes, I see my bow and arrows
Are no more the proper weapons.
Wooed the hearts must be, not wounded;
They are conquered by attention,
Kindness will engender kindness.
If such be the law of nature,
Then my weapons must be golden.
Farewell arrows, bow and quiver,
Ancient relics of the Greek;
Transformed be the flaming forge.
Ringing anvil, tongues and hammer,
Into a goldsmith's atelier."
Where, in place of common iron,
Which he shaped in pointed arrows,
Now he beats the better metal,
And welds into precious jewels
Many yet unnumbered kisses —
Sunbeams from the radiant eyes —
Bliss and happiness of heaven.
Thus by his inventive power,
He in all his work embodies
Love's celestial attributes,
And produces heavenly gifts
Which possess the wondrous charm,
Whomsoever, whensoever
And as oft as they are given,
To return to cheerful donors,
Purest love and true affection.

Copyright, 1887, by Charles Wm. Schumann.

All rights reserved.

58

THE INTERRUPTED SERENADE. Luigi Monteverde, pinx.

Original owned by Charles Wm. Schumann.

BAVARIAN TYROL. Albert Zimmermann, pinx.

Original owned by Charles Wm. Schumann.