One of the most valuable, and certainly one of the most remarkable,
of the donations which have found their way to Stepney Causeway
was ex-King Theebaw's ivory throne, sent a year or two ago by a
gentleman in Rangoon. The throne was somewhat in the form of a
large armchair, and was ordered by the king in the palmy days of
his despotism. According to his edict, only the very best craftsmen
were employed to fulfil the commission, and only the finest and
soundest tusks were used. The design was exceedingly elaborate,
and both time and special talent were needed for the task, which
it took years to accomplish. But, such is the irony of Fate, when
the work was practically finished the king was deposed, and the
completed throne never passed into his possession. After some little
time it came into the hands of the Rangoon donor who so generously
presented it to Dr. Barnardo. This interesting piece of furniture
was estimated to be worth some £500. The detail of the work was
exquisite, a delicate tracery covering nearly the whole, with some
most beautiful and elaborate carving in high relief lying behind
it. The little figures inside appeared to be executed with the
utmost thoroughness, and the chair was an eloquent testimony to the
genius and patience of the native workmen.
From the same country a number of quaint silver goods are constantly
received from a resident Englishman and his native wife, both of
whom take a very keen interest in the work of saving the waifs of
the slums. Owing to the extensive fluctuations in the value of the
rupee, and to the low rate of exchange in England, they find it more
advantageous to purchase native goods which will realise good prices
in London than to send their donations in cash.
[Illustration: A HANDSOME PIECE OF INDIAN NEEDLEWORK.
(_Worked in Gold and Silver Braid and Sequins._)]
Dr. Barnardo has little difficulty in disposing of such gifts.
There is a special trade department at Stepney Causeway, consisting
of a show-room and several large and airy stores. These storage
rooms, which are not open to the general public, contain a most
extraordinary collection of gifts, including such articles as
bedsteads, false hair and teeth, old pictures, jewellery, a
microscopic cabinet, a three-manual organ, an oak lectern, boxes of
geological and ornithological specimens, air pillows, sewing and
sausage machines, a bottled snake, as well as a great variety of
clothing both new and secondhand.
[Illustration: A GROUP OF CURIOUS GIFTS.
(_From Ephesus, New Zealand, and India._)]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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