New-York tribune., 1909-01-16
J. P. MORGAN A BUYER
Bids $4,000 for Chinese art York
for Metropolitan Museum.

j. P1erpont Morgan president OF the Metropolitan
Museum of Art paid 10000 yesterday for screen
or Iacquered wood painted in coIored and gilded
lacs. at the sale OF objects collected by the late
Baron Speck Sternburg, American Art
Galleries. Mr.. Morgan, it was said, will give the
screen to the Museum
The sale conducted yesterday by Thomas z. Kirby
brought &26S4, making total Of S1O3.s33 for the
three days sales.
Mr.. Kirby said he was authorized to start the
bidding on the screen at $4,000. There other
bid Later Mr.. Kirby said that Nj. Morgan had
bought it to, give to the Museum.
The screen has excited general admiration since
the opening Of the sale a marvel Of Chinese
decorative art of the seventeenth century. 1t con-
ssts Of twelve panels decorated both sides. with
a sumptuous border that inclcses the back an
inscription in gold characters upon ground of
black and on the front decorative picture Of the
summer palace at Peking The is 8 feet
high and 20 feet long
The central feature is the pavilion Of the throne
roorn constructed OF columns colored with CHINA
bar. Overhead is elevated pagoda roof of green
glazed tiles, with end ornaments of gilded dragons
The same imperial emblem appears on a red disk
behind the throne, which K 'ansHsi sits, attend
ed by scholars and courtieTs.
The Emperor is watching the movements Of two
dancing girls, accompanied by female musicians,
who are playing upon the flute, samisen, castanets
cymbas and other instruments
Through the court in front OF the throne room
the Empress is approaching in wheeled chair
escorted by a chamberlain and attendants. With
in this court is an ARCH richly adorned with
color and gilded carving. through which a noble
man is advancing with his retinue In the
outer court officials from distant provinces of
the empire, arriving to pay homage to the En-
peror and bearing costly presents OF porceains'
books and precious fabrics.
On the right, in front Of the outer wall OF the
palace, a lady and gentleman have arrived on
horseback attended by fan bearers and servants
carrying gifts, ant at the entrance nobleman has
dsmounted and is waiting receive them
The imperial quarters of the Empress are shown
on the left of the composition She appears seated
listening while lady in waiting plays upon
kind of either. The surrounding courts gay
with children in lowered robes. Some seen
studying with tutor. but most Of them are
watching the sacred chickens indulging in
various games.
The elaborate border Of the screen consists OF
series of medallion designs. inclosed in forms
that play upon the variations OF the Eectangle
and circle and reproduce the shape of fans leaves
sceptre-head scroll and the blossom of the prunus
These designs framed my two bands. the
inner composed OF lotus blossoms and tendrils
and the outer Of dragons Joined together by the
emblem Of the sceptre head
The border on the reverse side of the screen cor
responds in general design with that OF the front,
but varies in the details At the bottom the twelve
medallfons are enriched with fabulous monsters,
while those the side and top contain legendary
subjects interspersed with flowers and birds. These
are framed the inner edge with a band OF lotus
blossoms and the outer with diaper repetition,
interrupted with circles that incose variations or
the emblem of longevity. The field Of the reverse
is embeshed with inscriptions incised and gilded
After Mr.. Morgan's purchase the highest price
paid was $500. by Miss Lorenz acting for an un-
named purchaser. for q Chinese goblins tapestry
made for the imperial palace at Peking IN the
eighteenth century. It is woven IN coored silks
and gold threads.
was knocked down Mrs. J. Bulkley at 5000.
The sale Will close this afternoon.