New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-13
SWORDS FOR THE MUSEUM.
PUBLIC SPIRIT AT THE IVES SALE.
SAVED BY GENEROUS MEN FROM
BFING SCATTERED.

BEING SCATTERED.
The sale OF the BraytOn Ives collection OF Orental
art objects was continued at the American Art
Galleries Twenty third st. and Broadway. yesterday
afternoon Ii was expected that stir would be
by the bidding for the imperial japanese sword
made in 1891 which regarded as the gem OF tue
collection of swords and daggers. little party Oh
japanese men, led by o. Fukushima, sat In corner
of the room ready to bid for the royal weapon, IN
tending to return 1t to the japanese Government II IL
could be purchased. stir was created, but 1t was
of kind entirely unexpected.
When Thomas E. Kirby ascerded his stand every
body present expected that he would resume the sac
OF swords in the collection, one at Time lnsteau
however he announced that some publc-spirted men
had decided that IL would be too bad TO scatter the
superb collection Of ninety nine swords which yet re-
NAMED To be sold and to the end that the collection
might be preserved had subscribed $4,000 with when
to purchase the entire lot remaining, which was the
to be presented the Metropolitan Museum OF Aft
There little ripple of applause at this an
nouncement which expanded into hearty outburst as
the assembled company seemed gradually to become
impressed with the spirit which had generously moved
those who had proposed such a GIT. some OK the
dealers and collectors may have felt some dlsappoint
ment, and one OF the experts II. f. Moore dissented
from the proposition TO sell the collection intact Mr
Kirby seemed little disconnected by this remonstrance
but said We will put it to vote. All those In favor
of the swords being sold collection to be presented
TO the Metropolitan Museum Of Art say aye Ihere
was chorus Of "ayes." and only one voice In the
negative and Mr.. Kirby declared the ooilecuoh soid
for 900 to the who propose to present 1t 10 inc
Metropolitan Museum of Art.
W. T. Walters. Of Baltimore, who owns one OF the
finest collections Of modern paintings in America, was
present at the sale Wednesday when twenty-sx OF
the swords we're disposed Of Being expert in such
matters he was impressed with the fact that it would
be misfortune TO break up superb collection, ana
going to Mr. Kirby early yesterday morning he offered
TO subscribe $4,000 to fund for the purchase OF the
swords to be presented when bought as collection 10
the Metropolitan Museum Of Art Mr.. Kirby rushed
down find Mr.. Ives, who entered into the scheme
with much spirit and himself subscribed another $1,000
H. the fund $4,000 which 1t considered neces
sary raise. The American Art Association, moved
by the same spirit subscribed 81 900, and two other
men, whose names kept secret for the present.
guaranteed the remaining "a 900. They were willing
to subscribe the full amount, but supposed that other
philosophical men might like to contribute, and So
merely guaranteed make up any balance that might
be required.
The ninety nine swords IN the collection, not nclud
ing OF course. the tventysX sold Wednesday, Illus
tratc the highest skill OF the japanese in metal work
ing and olnumentation. one Of the Oldest blades
is a dagger made by KaneOn, in the year a. d. 800.
The gold inlaid shakudo mounting is by Got. Al
though Of great antiquity. the blade has been per-
fectiy preserved, has also the scabbard, which Is
treated in brown, black and silver lacquer. Another
notable specimen is n long sword made by shmadu
ZucrO sukemor, pupil of Masamunc, about 1870
The blade Is carved on side with the Image Of
FudO, the god Of Gre surrounded by fames ON
the other side in sanscrt characters, Is engraved
"Kompra Daimiojin,7 the title Of great statesman
who owned the sword. The scabbaTd is of fine black
lacquer decorated with solid silver.
MI VI the other specimens. the dates OF the manu-
acure Of which range from the eleventh to the nine
tcenth centuries, show the superior workmanship OF
the japanese. The most valuable weapon In the col
lection however, is tho long sword made by Tango
Nawomch in 1921. This formerly belonged 10 the
Imperial family OF Japan, and has the royal crest en-
gIaved upon the blade well the name Of its
former No one not member OF the Royal
family would be allowed 10 this sword In Japan,
or even 20 1t, and II exhibited In that country
it would doubtless create a great deal Of interest The
decorations Of the hlt and scabbard artiSticaly
elaborate.
owing to the disposal OF the swords as collection.
yesterdays sale confined to sword racks and
guards The total for the day, including the bulk
| sale was $1G.5s7 80. follows:
Collection OF swords he presented to the Metro -
swORD-RACKS.
sword rack handsomely carved II. H. Bishop. $50 90
a"od.rcN GOA a,tuHI, pretuN carved anu "a N,
s,,oi ~ odii IacoucT: r. T. Moore ~ 50 Oh
Snor. ,SoracS for swords G. ". could 20 90
| SWORD-Gj ARDS.
| Iron sword guard with elaborate momtngsi II. Il. 1904,
I,o B''n "tor guard with cherry blossom orna.
Iron r.cu,,,o; j. H. Da Costa ....e......(. :G 90
Iron sWor guard Of a Chimes general j. NJ.
non quart made II ~ fOqlt,S"t9 century 3 90
IRON swoId.suard: IT, r. Bishop ......,.... 70 10
iion swo,,.g1arL with gold oinamcntaton H. Il.
lio i,', .%Gl.sqad made in ~ richly engraved;
lro "a, , w. ,ig saSrd IL r. bishop S 90
Iron sword 2uStd inaIl Wh .''t' H. J." Noo'' 90 90
irn SwSidsua,G made IN i7.o e. W Gould.. 30 90
noule ,wgideu9rd IL r. b,,nop .---......'... 30
ron ron . Rs{s:t, i i 90 90
i iIon sword guard guard J. Il Daco.ta is 90
| lion sword.puard; gold Communications H. X ..oo
Iron ml sw a. guard: r. T. .: 30
STorgUard Shi6ulchi II. II. B.shop.......... - 90
i 15o G,.a gaa y. century; IL Il.
"'Sa@: r'a,r''' "'' lao'. 8: SO
SwSrdgn1 Mi.n OF iron anu a. 50
r,on Moro. ~; Hi rHa'd H. l. Bishop. 90 90
ronte ;uerd ,d H. " K B sad II r. Bishop 80 90
Iron swOrd;eari csh,snh se.y' = "ouu % o.
Iron Wi VII s5u'ri r p Moore ......... SO 90
i I,oG sEoT guard Decorated with gold j. NJ
Iron p' S %tSa decoa,ed with gold and ivory.
IfG .Tqr .s%e su1 II r. Bishop H. q 90
Iron word g%a% dn r. RIsS yery old G. W 50 %
IRON Go! !%o,d guard made in 1880 T. e Moore % 90 90
from sw"rsSard mad in 100 richly naid C. - %
s" W W Gsn'S" VI U''E'" ~ s5 90
rrou s,,,,I yuari made I'm l-9n T. NJ DlCO,ta 81 %
iu, s,y,rd ,,uord NJ DoCosta .............. - 90
lr"r Sae viii include a lot OF richly engraved
sword guards knifchandle> series Of cabinets con
tanning selected guards. knife handles and other sword
ornaments "A cabinet collection Of fifteen rare speci-
mems Of handles. with compartment case "i 'N,
qniste finish: unique cabinet of knfc-handcs, and
| \ lot of beautiful pOrcclainS In single colors. the
lannon's pcachblOws will be reached To morrow, wicn
the sale will end with the auction OF the JAMES,
crystals and other hard stones