Title: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Author: Cyclopedia Company Limited

Publication details: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1897, Wellington

Part of: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

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Ballmüller, Emil, Artistic Painter and Decorator, etc., P.O, Box 236, Wellington. Mr. Ballmüller is a man of exceptional attainments in his profession, having had the benefit of tuition in the Painters' School, Berlin. He began life by serving four years at house-painting; and afterwards spent three years in acquiring a knowledge of artistic decorating in the Gewerbe Museum, Berlin. To complete his studies and widen his experience, Mr. Ballmüller undertook engagements in various parts of Germany, France, Italy, and South America. From Buenos Ayres he shipped to New Zealand in 1892, and decided to make Wellington his headquarters. Some magnificent specimens of his handiwork are to be seen in the Empire City. Mr. Ballmüller personally did the whole of the decorative work in the public hall, the corridors, and the vestibule of the huge building erected by the Government Insurance Department. The style of decoration is fourteenth century Gothic, and the execution is indeed a triumph of workmanship. Nine months were spent in the performance of this contract. The work was started when the plaster was wet; Mr. Balmüller claims to work with equal effect on plaster, whether wet or dry. Seven weeks were spent in embellishing the interior of the Trocadero, the handsome and commodious restaurant in Willis Street, and this beautiful scheme of decoration, based on the modern Renaissance style, has been generally admired. The showroom of Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains, drapers, the interior of Kohn's jeweller's shop, the large organ in St. Paul's Church, and the entrance hall and reception-room at Kinsey's photographic establishment all bear witness to the skill of the subject of this notice. Mr. Ballmüller is prepared to execute work, from ordinary house-painting to the highest form of decorative art, and will willingly give estimates free of charge. Church interiors, theatre interiors, and backgrounds for photographers are among his specialties.