Spectacular objects began to surface throughout the world; […] elaborate ivory powder boxes engraved with peacocks or pictures of lions and unicorns playing draughts, precious ushabtiu figures, the combs of an unknown princess, her red ivory jars of frankincense and eye paint, copper coffers, poison rings, diadems.

Before pollution and overharvesting intervened, New York was one of the world’s great oyster hubs and the shellfish was abundant in its street markets, dingy bars and fancy restaurants.

undoubtedly the curtains closed at the exeunt of all the characters but one.

smoky black: