New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-15
SIR PURDON UNCERTAIN
FRAGMENTS IN DOUBT.
Says Mr. Morgan's Gift Mag Not
Be from Forum of Trajan.

Although five stone fragments OF the architect
ural period OF the second and third centuries
which have been exhibition in the Accsssions
Room Of the Metropolitan Museum Of Art since
November are labelled Architectural Frag-
ments from the Forum Of Trajan. Rome; gift OF
]. P Morgan. 1906" Sir Purdon Clarke, director
Of the Museum. said yesterday that not the
slightest proof existed that they were ever a
part OF the Trajan Forum. This statement was
brought out by dispatches from Rome saying
there was much comment over the statement
that fragments OF the TraJan Forum were IN
this city.
Mr.. Morgan. at his home IN Madison avenue
said last night that he did not care to discuss
the story. He asked II there were any
proofs that the fragments were from the Tra1an
Forum. but refused to answer.
Sir Purdon was much annoyed by the story
from Rome which he attributed to the black
gusrdly Roman newspapers" which, he said
were always trying to stir up trouble. He said
that to avoid similar annoyance in the future he
would probably not go into too much detail In
labelling accessions.
The gift was costly and splendid one" said
Sir Purdon. "as illustrating the architectural
sculpture OF the second and third centuries but
we have no authentic proof that the fragments
came from the Forum. OF course It would be OF
interest to know just where they came from.
But their value and interest do not lie alto
gether in the fact that they might have CONS
from there.
There is nothing now left Of the Forum but
tho courtyard and the TraJan column. I under
stand. however. that some parts Of the Forum
were taken many years ago to other parts OF
Italy and used IN buildings there Our frag-
Inents may have come from such source. There
is nobody in Rome or elsewhere who can actually
say that they came from the Forum. directly or
Indirectly
You see. when a dealer has such things for
sale. he knows he will be asked where they come
from. and always has 10 have an answer ready.
do not think that Mr.. Morgan presented them
TO genuine fragments OF the Forum. He
sometimes simply sends US boxes Of things and
asks US how we like them
Sir Purdon showed that in copy OF the
bulletin OF the Museum. published before the
fragments had been placed there, they were
mentioned simply Roman antiquities" In
the bulletin for December, however, they are
referred 10 as having come from the Tratan
Forum, and the account goes on TO sayI These
particular architectural fragments are supposed
once to have formed part OF the Basllica Ul-
pia"
Sir Purdon said he was not aware that this
description had been published He said he OBJ
jeCted to labelling the fragments as having
come from the Trajan Forum. but would not say
who was responsible for the label He thought
that Mr.. Morgan was not aware OF the way
they had been labelled.
Some one ne said, thought that they had
come from the Trajan Forum. but who II was he
could not say. There were several friends with
Mr.. Morgan when he purchased the fragments
IN Rome last summer, Sir Purdon said.
The fragments consist OF two pieces Of cornice.
two pieces Of frieze and long block OF archi-
trave probably from colonnade.
Robert w DeFOTeSt. secretary of the board 81
directors of the Metropolitan Museum, said last
night: "AlI L know is that We have certain
fragments from Rome. If there was any reason
why they should not have been exported from
Italy think the italian government would have
prevented It. They have a way OF protecting
SoI,- rhara hnrr1H sum hon
that II have anything that the italian gov
eminent wants back they could get Il; that
seems to be Mr.. Morgan's attitude"
Sir Purdon. however. did not seem 70 think
that the Roman officials had any chance OF lay
ing claim TO the fragments. He intimated that
If he had been the owner Of the Ascoli cope ha
might not have been so generous about return
ing II Mr. Morgan
Rome, Feb 14.-Professor GfacOno BOni, d.
rector Of excavations at Trajan's Forum and az
the Roman Forum. to-day authorized the state
ment that in December last. when he received
Trajan's Forum had been sold in the United
States opened an inquiry. which established
the fact that no fragments had been distracted
from Trajan's Forum from the Vatican or
Iateran museums. where some remains OF the
same forum are kept. This the professor added,
does not exclude the possibility that the frag-
ments in New York really belonged 70 the
TraJan Forum. which is very large. partly I'M
eXCaVated. ana extends under the RuSpOli and
other palaces. There also fragments OF
the Trajan Forum at the Villa Albani which
is surpassed only by the Vatican and Capitol
museums In rich sculptures. etc.
Professor Boni has asked for photographs OF
the fragments Of TTajan's Forum in New York
but has not Yet received them