The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1889-05-24
THE VASE,

The History OF a Marvellous Piece
of Pottesy-Its Hiding Place.
Probably no event in artistic matters
has recently stirred curiosity SO much as
the sale of the famous "peachblow' vase,
which was among the effects of the late
Mrs. Mary ]. Morgan.
Since the sale that article has com
pletely disappeared from view. Many
have been the conjectures about its hid.
ing place, some declaring that it be-
longed to II person, others that it was
in another's possession. and still others
who declared that it had been bought by
the original statesmen in order to Justify
themselves for the enormous price orig
inally paid for it by Mrs. Morgan, namely,
S15. 900.
The vase sold, it will be remembered,
for $1S, 600 at the auction. Previous to
that it had stood in a small case, the
center of a group of peachblow glazes,
of which it was by far the most perfect
example. 1t had a slender neck and
well shaped body, being of classic pro.
portions and beauty. 1t stood about
eight inches high. In color it was a dull
grayish ping, touched in places with a
decided apple-green. The glaze was fine
and perfect in texture and evenness, from
top to bottom, Thousands of people
went to the Morgan collection for the
sole purpose of seeing this diminutive
piece of handiwork, and many thousand
more still live in wondermcnt over its
complete disappearance. The true story
of the vase has never been auth%oritatiyely
given.
The vase is supposed to have been
made in China during the seventeenth
century, and, like many of these famous
pieces, became the cherished possession
of q mandarin. One of the firm com.
posing the American art galleries learned
OF its whereabouts and communicated
his find to the home office, urging its
purchase if possible. Negotiations were
therefore entered into, but were for a
long time fruitless. The mandarin in
question chung tenaciously to n very
iarge price. For three years the nego-
tiation was carried on. until at length it
was agreed TO pay $40, 600 for the Vase.
MIR. Sutton agreed to this, thinking that
the possession would give a reputation to
his new galleries. In other words he
made the venture for purely business
purposes. He bought the p%eachblow vase
at sic, 600 because of the talk ii would
create and the curiosity it was bound to
excite.
In due time it was shipped in a modest
box with other oriental wares 10 the
American Art association. When the in.
voice reached its destination and was I'M
packed Mrs. Morgan was present. She
bought a number of pieces. The peach
blow box remained untouched. Mrs.
Morgan's curiosity TO know what the box
contained became piqued and she asked
to see the contents. Its nothing" said
Mr.. Sutton, only a curiosity we have
bought to show" He opened it and
showed it to Mrs. Morgan. She asked
him the price aud Mr.. Sutton hesitated
somewhat. cts too ridiculous" he
said. Still insisting, he told her it was
worth S15, 900. Mrs. Morgan expressed
no surprise whatever, but ordered it to
be sent home with the rest of her goods.
The next step in the history of the
vase was its sale with the effects of Mrs.
Mary j. Morgan on March 8, 1885.
While exhibiting in the galleries the
curiosity excited was very great. Some
persons ven asked the privilege of kiss
ing it, since, they said. they could not
own it. Groups of people were always
gathered in front of the vase and made
many and various remarks about it. En-.
pressions of surprise over its reported
value were frequent. Finally when
the day of the sale arrived there was a
tip-toe of excitement over the matter.
The auctioneer pointed to the modest
thing and asked if he could have q bid of
So, 600 for it. AT this price it was started
and crept up gradually until it reached
SlS,0 GOO, at which it was knocked down
but TO whom? This question has
never yet been satisfactorily answered.
Among those who were bidding for the
vase was Mr.. Sutton, of the American
Art galleries. His instructions were not
to pay more than 500. 900 for the vase.
1t was sold for SlS, 600, end Mr., Sutton
was the buyer.
1t has been said that he bought the
vase for himself, but he did not. He
bought it under instructions for William
7. Walters, of Baltimore, and the little
treasure is 10Y in that city, who're it now
rests in q closet, hidden away from, the
eyes even of Mr.. Walters friends. a
few days after the sale Mr.. Walters
denied having bought it. According to
the New York CONNER cial Advertiser
the only explanation given Of this evasion
has been that Mr., Walters was afraid of
the notorieiy which the possession would
give kim. He refused TO have his name
connected with the purchase, but it is,
nevertheless, q fact that he has it now,
but he probably docs not get much com
fort from its possession.
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