New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-12
ME-. R0BERTSONS COLLECTION OFJAP4NESE
CURIOS

Mr. RObcrtson'S collection of rare japanese
euros offers curious contrast TO the everyday life OF the
crowded street beneath Mr. Orgies's windows The
visitor Is transported TO different sphere III whlch
war demons crashing their teeth with rage seek to hide
behind their shields from showers Of stones that are
peltng them out Of the kingdom; in which bird
catcher with quzzca bewdeent on his face confronts
his would prey perched upon bis basket instead OF be-
ing eurapped beneath it, world, In short where Ohh-
bus drivers policemen are replaced by the quaint
misadventure of gTOtesqne coolies, rownng warriors
schicyous monkeys and fantastic imps all arrested IN
The very midst OF their pranks, hUmatiOns sports and
conats and translated into ivory by an inspired hand
which allows nothing OF the interest and action TO be
lost II IS the hmOr of Dickens and OF Hood that we nhd
I'm Japanese carvings of the better class yet suber than
our best humOrists have often reached. Many OF these
modest little carvings contain the of mIth pro
voking chapter or poem when turn from the two
hundred netsukes and other carvings there Is
fresh cause for admiration hand I'm the genius the pa
thence and the royal prodigaty OF rich material Whoh
have been avshed upon the metal work and the acques
Here are scores Of inros, among which we see the
dainty gold. black and red lacquer work deoked
with silver, pearl coral and carved wood one Is
of silver with repousst designs, while there are
several of old avanturne lacquer, Of Kyaki
wood oramented with Jade stone and pearl and
others of pure gold lacquer decorated with figures In
silver and bronze cunningy Overlad in relief The num-
Der of acquers is not large and this is perhaps better
eliminating care and each member is worthy OF being
count ed a supreme effort There is No. 37l pure gold
lacquer Damo box OF hexagona shape the top bearing
DRAGON in high relief the sides onamcnted with deli
cate arabesque designs and the tray inside decorated
with clrysanthemums in varying shades of gold No.
3s9 shaped box half OF gold and half OF black
lacquer presents a landscape executed In gold. Nos.
39l and $50 are admirable examples OF mother OF pearl
decoration upon lacquer and it hard to pass the deli
cate designs upon No S9l. Some Damic pouches arc of
an almost barbac spendor in the massveness OF their
gold and silver The beauty OF Old Dutch en-
bossed leather and fine japanese leather has been re-
veacd to most We pass by the pipes and pipe cases
10 saw word of the metal work which Is illustrated more
that We have had here There are twenty-five striking
EXAMPLES in solid silver among which would call at
tenon to the ciseed and rePOS6 work upon the great
incense burner No. Sill which well deserves TO De called
leaf decoration In No. 500 cannot ful 10 attract many
No SMILE article exhibits the perfection of japanese
handcraft so thoroughly a sword with the opporuni-
ties decoration afforded by the lacquer usual III me
guard aud hit. As Brnkley these sword orna-
ments represent the je%edry OF Gd Ia6an ana e
dexteIity play prominent part IN the decoration Oh Ie
fifty swords in this collection. So, too, OF the sword
guards which number hundred including guards
solid gold silver iron and GoTosa bronze enriched by
range subjects extends from the God of Longevity TO
the serpent and TIE lizard Ike me lae3Gers: IIe
lencc Notice No 6S3, silver bronze vase, twenty
SoIief viii figures In gold silver bronze and enamels
But we can only mention the antique bronze incense
burner thirtythree inches high No $50 A.; the 0Yod
silver bronze No 6sl; the Gorosa bronze jar No. 6Sl
The pair OF bronze vases, No 677 aud the turtle
which like few other pieces in the collection rs the
work Of TOun the japanese Benvenuto Cein The lux
url1us DimO and mandarin robes the group OF goa or
nanents ana the pieces OF hauo puocal' We ~ En- ~
pass over with "A word But trust that many Will he
enabled to visit this collection while II remains on ex
on for studyOf these objects is rare chance OF edu
cation-a chance. unhappily becoming rarer every
month Metal-woriers and handlcIaits men VINO dedi
with any OF decorative work should ma profit ana
new suggestions here But unfortunately the time Is
short m The collection be dispersed at auction sales 70
be held on the afternoons OF Monday Tuesday and We'd
uesday next at past two o'clock