Germany - Expo Paris 1855

The reader will notice in the large passage which leads from the west entrance to the transept a very fine exhibition of glass and crystals, by Mr. Steigerwald of Bavaria. These crystals, though from Bavaria, are made on the border of Bohemia, and are in every way identical with the famous products of that country.

Large vases, of Egyptian and Moorish form, will attract the visitor's attention, as well as the crackled glass crystals and others, as we have seen in the Bohemian crystals. A column made of glass pipes of different colours, as a garden ornament, is of very fine effect.

Continuing on the right hand side, one arrives at the Württemberg exhibition. On the outside of the partition which separates this exhibition from the aisle, magnificent oak parquet boards from Stuttgart have been placed. As you enter the first Württemberg hall, you will see steel and iron tools on the left; opposite them are tinware objects, including tables imitating lacquer, and children's tinware toys. In the middle and in front of it is a large shelf with table and hunting cutlery and gardening tools; behind it is a tin water fountain with a mechanical device; further on is a carved oak altar by Wirth Stuttgart, above which is a silver Renaissance lamp by Bruckmann & Son in Heilbronn. In the back wall there are muslin glasses for stained glass windows, representing different subjects, among others the generals of the Eastern War, the bar taille de l'Alma, etc.

To the left of this room is another where we see square and grand pianos, as well as harmoniums at very low prices, as they start at 400 fr. - Going out of this room, we see, on the right and next to the Wurtemberg's office, the displays of children's toy factories, made of wood and tin; opposite, garden furniture made of iron and wrought wire, such as benches, tables, armchairs, chairs, etc. To the left of these pieces of furniture, is placed a child's cradle with its accessories, covered with green velvet. - Following the same aisle to the left, we see in the background, on the right, figures of dragées and objects carved in bone, among others a magnificent small pedestal table with a hole in it, another small compartment, on the left, contains taxidermy preparations, such as birds, chamois, etc. - Another square on the left shows us, on the right, drapery products; on the left, cotton and woolen fabrics, and, in a compartment next to the fabrics, hosiery and carpets, including a large knitted carpet depicting a Neapolitan fishing family.

If we return to the western entrance aisle, we can see the products of Bavaria along the wall from north to south. First, on our right, come half-white and white mirrors from Fürth. On the left, between two boxes filled with Ralisbonne pistols, stands a small showcase, where a splendid bodice set of diamonds and emeralds sparkles; the price of this set, which comes from the workshops of Mark in Munich, is 18,000 fr.

Further on, on the right, there are snuffboxes made of papier-mâché; in the next compartment, on the right, there are Virgins, objects and wax preparations; on the left, wind instruments and again very curious wax preparations. Among the latter are 24 pieces representing the formation of the chicken in the egg; among the preparations placed on the right, heads of men representing the primitive races of the human race, the human ear, etc.

In the next compartment, near the south-western staircase, on the right are travel goods, on the left, in the aisle across, drawing pencils. Opposite the south-western staircase there is a display also belonging to Bavaria. On the left are Virgins with ornaments in high relief, further on mirrors and chromatic objects; then, turning, at this display, one encounters the interesting exhibition of carved objects by Messrs. Lang, in Oberammergau. This is one of the specialities of Bavaria. Nothing could be more delicate than these Christs, cots, chapels and statues of saints, chess sets, vases, children's toys of various shapes and carved in wood, ivory, bone, etc. Many of these objects are made of wood, wood, bone, etc. Many of these objects are made by poor mountain people. Further on, to the left and in line with the display we have just examined, stands the display of the Oldenburg and Hanover exhibitions. On the sides of the south-western staircase we see engraved cameos, vases, goblets, necklaces and other objects of agate, onyx, carnelian, chalcedony, oriental jasper, etc., all products of the duchies of Oldenburg. On opposite sides of the same display are Hanoverian cloths and guns.

Let us return from there to the exhibition of Bavarian woodcarvings, and examine the three aisles which open on our right: they belong to Royal Saxony. In the first aisle we find hosiery, carpets, children's toys and typographical products; in the second aisle we find sheets, woollen and linen fabrics, gloves and xylographic prints; in the third aisle we find sheets, woollen embroidery and fabrics.

These three aisles lead to a cross-aisle where we still see Saxon fabrics and printed books. We follow this last aisle to the left, then turn right, and we arrive in the nave. We pass the Saxon lodge mentioned above and enter the first aisle on the right. There we see on the left porcelain and terracotta objects from Prussia; on the right there are three lodges with Baden fabrics: the first contains colonial velvets, the second woollen fabrics, the third printed cotton handkerchiefs.

Opposite, through the entrance which opens opposite these boxes, we enter one of the large courtyards of the Prussian exhibition. This room, which contains the armoury and the silverware, is decorated in accordance with its purpose. The top of the pillars is decorated with steel shields with the Prussian eagle surrounded by flags in Prussian colours. The weapons on display are either placed in glass cases or arranged as trophies on the walls.

As you walk through the room from right to left, you first notice, on the right, part of the exhibition of swords from the Lüneschloss in Solingen: sabres, swords, daggers, hunting knives, blades; in addition, razors and penknives. Many of these pieces are adorned with richly worked handles in steel, gold and ivory.

Next come Messrs. Schmolz and Cie, Solingen, with helmets, swords and sabres, and a pair of huge steel scissors, decorated with a chased eagle. To the left of this exhibition is that of Mr. Hartkopf in Solingen, rich in leather and steel helmets and breastplates of white and black steel, and tombac; there is also the complete steel armour of a medieval knight. At the foot of the armour are several boxes of pistols and rifles.

If you go along the wall to the right you will see near the middle exit a bronze angel by M., Fischer in Berlin; then, on a console, small groups of animals in bronze and cast iron; then a large fireplace with a glass frame and a clock in cast iron, from the foundry of the Count of Einsiedel, at Lanohkammer in Prussian Saxony; next to it, another console with statuettes and groups in bronze and a large group in bronze representing a woman drawing water.

This brings us to the wall opposite the entrance through which we entered the room. In front of this wall stands an elegantly ornamented box, supported by three pillars and decorated with crimson velvet curtains with gold fringes. Several objects placed in front of the three pillars attract the visitor's attention. In front of the pillar on the right stands, on a red marble table, a magnificent bronze repoussé tabletop, by Messrs Sy and Wagner, of Berlin; above it and on a console is placed the biscuit bust of the Queen of Prussia. In front of the middle pillar are cameos, samples of carved marble, and above, on a Corinthian capital of Berlin porcelain, the bronze bust of Emperor Napoleon III. Finally, in front of the pillar on the left stands a bronze group representing a child with a basket of fruit and standing on the globe of the world; above it, the biscuit bust of the present King of Prussia is leaning against the pillar.

When one enters the interior of the lodge, one sees on the right a large showcase containing the exhibition of Messrs. Sy and Wagner; one notices there especially a silver reduction of the Amazon of Mr. Kiss, a large album in silver binding, decorated with the arms of the various provinces of Prussia, and two large silver candelabras. Next to this display case are church vases and a gilded and stamped silver goblet, and above it, hanging on the wall, is an oxidised silver shield.

The large display case next to it belongs to Messrs Vollgold and Sons of Berlin. It contains a large number of pieces of silver electroplating, including two large candelabras and cups in the form of animal sheets, etc. On the left is an enormous monumental silver table weighing 300 marks. It was a gift from the city of Berlin to the Prince and Princess of Prussia on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of their marriage; the bas-relief shows the figures of the Prince and Princess, as well as allegorical figures in connection with the event indicated. This table cost 40,000 francs and is the largest piece of silverware ever produced by electricity.

Next to this table, one can admire Mr. Friedeberg's exhibition in Berlin, notably a brooch made of diamonds and emeralds, a bouquet holder, a fan decorated with gems and a silver tray on which is engraved a view of the Palais de l'Industrie.

On leaving the lodge, one sees on the right, above a display case containing church and table silverware, a superb embossed silver shield. Further on, jewellery and other objects made of amber, a mineral that is found nowhere in such abundance as on the Prussian Baltic coast, can be seen in flat display cases.

Another showcase contains jewellery and other objects made of cast iron, including a lace-like fan of extraordinary grace and lightness, priced at 75 fr. On the wall are various cast-iron ornaments and a cast-iron bas-relief depicting the architectural monuments of Rhenish Prussia and Westphalia. Next is a large display case with gold and silver jewellery.

Further on and on the same side is the exhibition of swords from Mr. Holler in Solingen. One of the items on display is a damascene sword with a portrait of Napoleon I and battle scenes; this sword was bought by the French emperor for 1,500 fr. Next to and to the left of the visitor is the exhibition of swords by Mr. Lüneschloss of Solingen, some of which we have already seen on entering this room. In the showcase we are now looking at, among other things, a first-rate steel sword, forged and taken from a piece of steel placed next to it: in the middle of the blade is the chiselled portrait of Emperor Napoleon III.

The visitor has thus returned to the point from which he began his tour of the room, and can now examine the objects placed in the middle. First, immediately in front of him, he will see a cannon made by M. Krupp in Essen, of a new invention patented in England, Austria, France and Prussia: it is a cannon made of molten steel, weighing 503 kilograms, French construction, 12 pounds. The inventor guarantees the indestructibility of the guns of this metal, without regard to the size or the kind of the loads, and in addition these parts allow a notable reduction of their used weight.

Next to this barrel is a high display case containing firearms. Around it are eight racks containing a wide variety of cheap ornaments made of ivory and tortoiseshell, as well as cigar pipes and pipes made of yellow amber and meerschaum. Other racks contain embroideries and military objects used in the Prussian army, capsules for firearms, hunting and mining powder.

The centre of the room is occupied by a large Gothic-style funeral monument in cast iron, priced at 3,500 francs; it probes the factory of Count Stolberg-Wernigerode at Ilsenburg in the province of Saxony. In front of it is a cast iron group representing Christ on the cross, at whose feet the Virgin is kneeling; behind it is another bronze group.

The last square, in the middle of the room, contains a magnificent collection of painted metal objects with drawings and paintings. One can admire above all a 1,800-franc screen, a 4,200-franc folding screen, several framed paintings, lamps, etc.: all these products come from the workshops. All these products come from the workshops of Mr. Stobwasser in Berlin. On the same table there is a large number of amber objects as well as marble tables and a chessboard, and other marble and alabaster objects;
In front of this square stands a cast iron column with silver ornaments and surmounted by an eagle: it was sent by the Royal Foundry of Berlin, one of the most famous establishments of this kind.

Leaving this room and heading towards the back galleries, one arrives at the middle exit in a longitudinal aisle where one sees on the left buttons, ornaments and various copper and brass objects from Prussian factories. Following this aisle to the right, the wall on the left is covered with the magnificent cutlery of Mr. Holler in Solingen. On the right, files and other steel tools, as well as a bar of refined steel weighing 100 kilog. It comes from the workshops of Mr. Lindenberg in Solingen. Further down the same aisle, on the right, we see wire cloth from Baden, including a cloth 9 metres 8 centimetres long and 2 metres 133 millimetres wide. On the left is a curious collection of clocks and pendulums from the Black Forest, made of mahogany, oak and fir, artistically carved and decorated with paintings; next door, on the right, are barrel organs, and above them a sugar relief painting of a Dutch village crack, after D. Teniers.

If the visitor then goes into the longitudinal aisle parallel to the one he has just left, he will see, on the left opposite, gilded rods polishing frames and hangings, from Berlin; on the right, in a box, the exhibition of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. This exhibition consists mainly of sheets, gloves, kid skins, cigars, office papers and wallpapers, and very beautiful terracotta mosaic paving. To the left and opposite this dressing room stands a piece of furniture of enormous proportions; it is a cast-iron bookcase; it is made by Messrs. Metz et Cie, at Eich in Luxembourg. On the ceiling, above this bookcase, hangs a Berlin chandelier, consisting of four carved wooden stag heads, topped by natural horns!

Let us now enter the room on the left and go around it, starting on the right. First we see tables and other objects made of papier-mâché, lacquered, decorated and inlaid with gold, tortoiseshell and mother-of-pearl; further on we see pianinos, one of which is a transporter, priced at 1,800 francs. On the wall, above these objects, are suspended in frames of artificial leaves and flowers and superb wool, silk and pearl brodequins from Berlin. On the opposite wall are oak, mahogany, walnut and wicker furniture. On the other two walls hang relief pictures made of cork, frames, and other ornaments of wood and papier-mâché, gilded. Near the entrance through which we came, there are magnificent high carved wooden reliefs, representing Christ blessing the bread and wine, Christ in the tomb, and David contemplating the head of Goliath.

The middle of the room is occupied by grand pianos, on which other musical instruments have been placed; then a large selection of wicker furniture of all kinds. But there are two pieces that must above all attract the visitor's attention; a large Silesian marble table, made by M. Barheine in Berlin; it is the largest table that has yet been carved from this type of marble: it costs 2,200 francs. The other room is an oval salon table of gilded wood, framed with a magnificent silk embroidery and pearls, with the pearl embroidered portraits of Napoleon, Goethe, Peter the Great, Voltaire, Washington, Shakespeare, Frederick the Great and Schiller; exhibited by Mr. Sommerfeid of Berlin.

When you leave this room on the opposite side from the one you entered, you come to the last alley along the southern wall of the palace. As you walk up this alley from west to east, you will notice on the right the numerous stalls of the Prussian cloth, wool and cotton fabric manufacturers. These industries constitute one of the great economic riches of this country; Prussian cloths are recommended by their great solidity combined with an excessive cheapness.

The left-hand side of this aisle consists of several small compartments, which we shall visit, as we go up, one after the other. The first compartment contains dolls, shoes, gloves, as well as cases, wallets, kits and other leather objects. There are also several display cabinets with carved horn and ivory canes, including those of Mr. Steffelbauer in Gorlitz, which are distinguished by their beautiful shapes and surprisingly low price.

The wall to the left of the previous one is occupied first by a large showcase filled with wallets, cases and other leather objects from Frankfurt am Main: this is one of the specialities of the industry of this city. Next to it is a low, but large display case: on examining it, one notices that it contains a whole population of soldiers and horses; these are children's toys made of tin. There is a whole picture representing the battle of Kalafat, another representing the battle of Oltenitza, then comes a set of kitchen utensils, tableware, living room furniture, in short, everything that charms the life of an interior put within the reach of children and their dolls. All these objects, made with remarkable care, are by Mr. Söhlke in Berlin.

Next to this showcase is a large collection of children's toys made of wood and papier-mâché, including a whole arsenal of swords, armour, helmets, spears and swords for heroes aged four to six.

The middle of the room is occupied by two display cabinets, one containing leather goods from Berlin, and the other ivory and woodturned objects from the same city.

After leaving this room, one goes along the partition on the left, occupied by metal and horn buttons and by Berlin brushware. In the small aisle which then opens on the left, one notices, next to it, beautiful ivory and tortoiseshell combs; Prussian locksmithery represented by Berlin locks, of the most perfect workmanship and mechanism, but above all by steel and wrought iron safes, in all forms, such as cupboards, sideboards, desks, secretaries, etc. A steel and iron cupboard, a true masterpiece of locksmithing, with an infinite number of drawers and compartments, the doors of which are artistically engraved, is particularly noteworthy: this piece is by Mr Sommermeyer in Magdeburg.

Returning to the alley and continuing upwards, one encounters on the left a compartment followed further on by another, and containing all the soft goods so varied from Prussian factories, objects made of steel, iron, brass and copper, especially cutlery, tools, metal wires, etc.

Further down the same aisle, and to the left, there is another compartment also containing turned metal objects, tools, cutlery, etc. In the middle of this small room is the interesting exhibition of the Tangerhütte factory near Magdeburg: cast iron and enamelled iron objects. In the middle of this small room is an interesting exhibition of cast iron and enamelled iron objects. There are several cast iron stoves with holes in them, one of which has a statue of Napoleon I on top; in addition, there are enamelled iron kitchen utensils, which are very popular in Germany because of their cleanliness and cheapness.

When one goes from this room to the side of the transept, one arrives in a large room still belonging to Prussia. It is also filled with those metal products of which the Prussian exhibition is so rich. On the left are sewing needles, cutlery, iron, steel, brass and silver-plated fittings for harness and carriages; opposite and on the right are objects of English cutlery, plating and metal.

However, what will interest the visitor above all is the middle of this room* On the left, a vast square is occupied by the numerous products in German cast iron, bronze and silver, from Mr. Zimmermann in Frankfurt. They are grouped, statuettes, inkwells, torches, etc. If these objects, from an artistic point of view, do not always bear comparison with French products, they stand out for their excessive cheapness. It is one of the few establishments in Germany that work, not from foreign models, but from their own designs; it employs more than five hundred workers and does an immense export trade. In the centre of the hall stands the magnificent exhibition of the Silesian Zinc Mill and Foundry Company in Breslau. Under a grandiose portico or pavilion of zinc, richly ornamented, are several statues, among them the Apollo of Belvedere and the Venus de Milo, surrounded by a host of other objects of the same metal. At the front is a beautiful tin and zinc planter by Mr. Pois jeune in Elbufeld. At the back of the room are objects made of rolled and gilded copper, by Mr. Wolff and Mr. Erbsloh, in Barmen; a beautiful chessboard with its artistically chiselled figures is particularly admired.

The right side of the room is occupied by a collection of bronzed and gilded zinc works, by Mr. Meves, in Berlin. The large fountain in the form of a basin, and several groups imitating the most beautiful bronzes and representing Armide and Renaud du Tasse, a Lion Slayer, etc., as well as a superb chessboard, in silver, with chiselled figures, costing 4000 francs, will still be noticed.

©Promenades dans l'exposition de 1855