The New York herald., 1876-12-20
JAPANESE ART COLLECTION.

THE FINEST WORKS BECOMING SCARCE IN
JAPAN--A CHOICE COLLECTION OF ''CURIos."
An immense concourse Of fashionably dressed ladies
and many gentiemcn attended at the large salesroom
Clinton Hal yesterday afternoon for tho purpose Of
purchasing holiday presents from select and interest,"
ing collection OF Japanese ''curios'
II is only few years since that Japan and Its pro-
duciions were, TO the "outside barbarians" almost
sealed book. What little Information could cleaned
OF its resources. wealth and products dolcd In
decimal fractions through tho crcumlocution OF en-.
bassies which, at BEST enjoyed only circuinscrbcc
limit OF observation. Lat,er.y however. since free
has been granted 10 foreigners "to make them
selves at homen W this bcnighted country much has
been learned of its system OF domestic economy, arts
and manufactures Much engh tcnment, especially in
the dne arts has been gwen by Professor William
Grifs in his book entitled ''rhc Mikado's Empire"
This publication enables to undcrs aud Tho japan.
they are, and deals with thor mythology, his.
tory, social e, art products, &c, very clearly aud
definitely fhe opening Of Japanese por,sto Europeans
has tended TO bring into active the and
ancient styles OF the nne arts, which even tho skiul
and cunningly initiative Chinese are unable 20 rival
Many articles VI vertu, not only IN jewclry
but tho highly wrought lacquer work, have been I'M
ported in large quantities and disposed OF 10 good ad
vantage to The American people, VINO are fast bccon.
ing coDnosscurs OF this delicate production. Espc.
caily the extremely npc lacquer ware, inlaid with
pure gold, has found great favor IN the eyes OF tho
collectors but unfortunately Tor thcn this art Is be-
coming almost extinct as civilization encroachcs on
tho ancient customs OF the japanese. Tho old
Japanese Damios iormcr years. possessed I'm.
mensc castles or estates and numerous retajners,
these servants treated equals, ac.
count OF their great attainmcnts as artists. they
were nevertheless dependen, upon their masters ior
support The business OF these retaincrs
iacture all kinds OF nnc work, consisting OF swOrds,
lacquer work OF every description bronze stauary aud
other articles OF the very bcst nature These wares
TO The Japanese what hnc paintings are TO u.s. and
the Damios' idea was TO have fresh and original de-
signs constantly produced, no matter what time was
consumed in bringing them forth. Gold and silver had
low vaiuc TO tho Japanese, consequently they
entered largely into all kinds OF decoration.
Tho system OF rctainers mild type OF slavery, has
been abolished, and skilled labor being morp
appreciated. Tho ane lacquer ware is daily becoming
scarcer, and the elegantly Inlad Japanese
have 10 great extent passed into the hands OF private
collectors. and no more than year a. iurlhest can
ciapso before all that is lett that country will DO
absorbed by the hunters alter curiosties, and,
such are found be as erecdly boarded
S tho treasures unearthed by Professor Schemann.
The superiority OF old japanese work not to bo queg
toned II that the native artists have lost then
Skill IL Is because tho that led them
toll from father TO son, generation after genera
ton please some family OF noble patrons no longer
exists. 1t also mistskc that such examples Of
OF easy acquisition in that island There they
ana DEAR and they must continue TO grow more
and more SO Eycp modern work Is cheap only in re.
gard TO the common kinds. II is surprising observe
tho difference between their valuation OF what 10
The product OF their best skill, and common though
good work
Mcssrs George A. Lcavltt 4 Co will continue this
sale at Clinton Hall to-day aud the following Afternoons
1000 valuable articles and presents tempting view
the bcholder. Here the observer inds lantern In
the shape OF temple, OF antique bronze, sixteen
inches in hoisht Further a large round perfume
box Of Chinese cioissonne enamel bronze rich IN
on silk: raro sketchng in ink and color Iorty-e,g6t
specimens The tables ittcrcd with antique Sas-
sama s ware, candess,ck n. vases oc.agona shape
the finest kaga porcelain, with the usual decorations
Of red and gold, inside and OUT line gold and black
lacquer wine bottles, with exceedingly 6nc cLoiss0,Ae
enamel section stand, design OF Mikado crest; Corenn
water bottle, square form. with top hnndie pair OF
choco kaga vases elephant handles, nc decvrations
ink stand OF japanese cossone enamel bronze dec
oraons in bright coIors old and curious deep platter
OF japanese ctossonne enamel bronze round form;
oi finest Kiota porcelain, decoration OF fans
In relief, and cxquistely painted medailons, ham
OF raised flowers ans specimen OF Imari por.
celain, representing Japanese children playing Dai
kagura or "Lion oil Corea;'' Damo travelling Case OF
finest black black and gold scquer heavy IRE git mount:
richly lacquercd sauccs Dano's toilet box black and
gold lacquer avcnturiue lacquer on inside pcrfumed
gold and pearl set LaKi bowls, red lacquer dec
Grafton gold storx's egg box with pure gold lao
lurine lacquer; decorations OF flying siorks and Ty-
coons crcs, IN gold two scctons old bowl OF Sasuma
ware, medallion decorations, finely painted border
Of green, gold and crimson; teapot OF old
sasuma .,.s -, ware, nadc ~ shape r. 81 . sack.
in natural colors; Kaga vine cup, inside Decorated
with rep of the famous Japanese poets,
painted on pure sola ground ian ana norai aecors-
ncsc sword, pure gold and bronze mountings. with
Mkado's crcsts In exquisite lacqucrcd scabbard,
uacturcd by Tadeyosh Of Kioto, $50 years ago;
very antique jewel cabinet ivory top and door cx-
quistcly ncqucrcd with puro gold. silver mountings;
Damios despatch box, t.ays Damios stands lacqured
Iaki cups; ivory carvings, representing wild beast
charm.r, tho Vicious horse, group OF musi-
Clans aud COW, boat crossing stream, figures
and bird OF immortality, tanning the fox,
fisherman and chiid, group OF children playing,
boat scene, surprise god OF longevity, and slork,
and many o, hers Wood carvings represent also In.
Vulnerable objects we'll elegantly executed art
Japanese bed spread, richly embroidered upon browa
ailt stoo oicoln mail atik lin w yattS
braid and tassels at corners, 6hx7 feet is likewise
fine specimen OF rkmanship and highly attractive
Thus the catalogue might be itemzod and eacl
article invoiced presenting somo new aud attractive
interest dwet upon with crvor.