The sun., 1909-02-27
SI2,OOO FOR PORCELAINS.
Busy Session at Graves Saie-The Peach.
blooms to Go To-day.

Admirers Of Chinese porcelain came out
in greater force and with freer purses at
the American Art Galleries yesterday
at the second session of the Graves
auction than on Thursday afternoon.
and before they had finished for the day
had spent s42, ,O92.5O. They have another
day before them, for the concluding ses-
sion comes this afternoon. and with 1t.
among other things, come the peacE-
blooms. Of which Mr., Graves had nearly
forty.
At least two Of the prices OF yesterday
afternoon would have been described as
sensational only few years ago. but times
have changed and appreciation Of Chinese
porcelans with them in this country
and such high prices have been paid in
very recent years that the big ones Of
yesterday seem almost like those Of the
bargain counter.
One Of the most beautiful of large blue
and white beakers that have been seen
here at public sale. X k'ang-shi produc-
ton 2S inches tall. was started with the
low bid Of s., 600. going another thousand
at two jumps, yet it fell at $3.50 to a firm
of dealers who may have bought it on
order for a customer Its ornamentation
was floral in an exquisite blue. A beaker
somew hat similar but with a decoration
of figures had sold two years ago for
SO zoo. and in view of the general trend
of the market in these porcelains the piece
sold Yesterday is not likely to sell at yes
terday's price again even at an auction.
Another piece OF blue and white, one
of the finest in this fine collection, forced
the covctous still higher in their offers
for it. II was the oviform vase of iung-
cheng No 4Ol Of the catalogue, egg
shell in texture and of excellent technique.
The bidding started at 81 900, jumped
TO 81 800 and $500. and went on briskly
TO the 5000 marG. and odd as IL may
appear, it was only then that the bidders
seemed to become really interested, for
the bids then came more vigorously than
y the earlier stages. They, even gave
Mr.. Kirby a chance to omit the formality
Of calling all OF the oilers for the advances
were swift and emphatic and the bidders
stood not upon the order OF the auc-
tioneer's calls The vase went at $500
to Edward Cahill, and the impression at
the galleries was that il is to go 10 some
collection out vi town.
Among the buyers we're Mrs. John
Jacob Astor, Charles p. Taft, who aside
from being collector had additional
interest, even for the art sales habitues,
as the Presdent-elect's brother Mrs.
Ogden Mills. Mrs. Ogden Goelet. Mrs
Pembroke Jones. Thomas B. CLARKE
Cortland; Field Bishop. Mrs, Bayard
Cutting. A. Gallatin, c. B. Alexander.
Miss Dorothy Whitney, Mrs. A. scott
Burden. Mrs. Potter Palmer. Mrs. Nelson
Robinson, Mr.. and Mrs. John f.. Parsons,
Mrs. Clahin, Miss Sands, David Wariield,
Col. Wilson, Mrs. George Leary and Mrs.
Hollins.
MIR. Clarke paid sll?5 for a soft paste
vase OF Ch'ien-lung and 81 200 for a soft
paste blue and white piece of X 'ang -hsi.
vase OF remarkable dignity and great
beauty. Mrs. Parsons paid $40 for
very beautiful blue and white vase Of
Ch'ien-lunC. A blue and white hawthorn
ginger jar of X ang -hsi went at $50 after
number of persons had had their chance
at it and sent in their bids in lively fashion.
Mrs. Astor took blue and white ginger
Jar of Oh h'ien-lung for $50.
The little gem OF a miniature bottle
shaped vase in clear sapphire blue OF
Ch ien-lung went at $40. A blue and
white bottle Of X ang -hsi brought 500. =