Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/1097

 GRECIAN AND MODERN VILLA EURNITLRE. 10/3 circumstance of the spectrum being imperfect, and in a great measure deficient in the calorific raj-s. Sometimes the glass is stained to represent a painting, like the stained glass in church windows ; and in this case the effect is remarkably rich and grand. Such a material is particularly suitable for filling in screens in the Gothic style ; and those who are acquainted with the stained glass windows of our ancient cathedrals will readily conceive the endless source of variety and interest that might be added to this description of firescreen. In all rooms where there is a great quantity of furniture, and a great number of objects, it may be allowable, occasionally, to introduce one or two of a subordinate description as articles of curiosity, and which, like all other articles of curiosity, do not come within the pale of regular criticism. On this prin- ciple, Chinese and Indian firescreens are allowable, even though there should be no other article of furnituie in the same style in the room. 2129. Chimney-glass. Fig. 1975 is a Design for a Grecian chimney-glass, the beauty of which will depend much on the carving. Chimney and pier glasses should correspond in the style of their frames, with that of the room in which they are placed. A pier-glass placed opposite the chimney-glass always has an excellent effect, as they reflect one another ; so that the size of the room is doubled from whichever end the spectator directs his view. A black ebony plinth, French polished, is preferred to a gilded one, on account of its not tarnishing with the cleaning of the mantel-shelf. This plinth need not be above an inch and a half deep. Chimney and pier glasses, being comparatively fixtures, and belonging more to the permanent or constructive Architecture of the room, than to the furniture, ought, in our opinion, to be treated in a different manner from what they generally are. Their frames ought to be plainer, and more architectural ; and rather to harmonise with the architraves of the doors and windows, and the marble of the chimney-pieces, than, as they now do, chiefly with the gilt frames of the pictures. A marble frame for a glass, such as Mr. Kobison has introduced in his drawingroom, fig. 1817, we think in good taste; not only over a marble chimney-piece, but over a marble-topped pier or consol table. Perhaps there is no piece of furniture, put up by the London upholsterers, which is mo)-e generally in bad taste than looking-glasses ; and this arises, as it appears to us, from that fertile source of bad taste in articles formed for those who have abundant wealth, — an excessive love of ornament. In this department of furniture, as in some others, we are certainly far excelled by both the French and Germans. We should say, let small, and especially portable, looking-glasses have highly enriched frames ; but let those for largo 6 L '