The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-01
RARE CHINESE RUGS
PUT ON EXHIBITION
Thomas b. Clarke Collection at
the American Art AS
ISOLATION.
SOME UNUSUAL DESIGNS

The American Art Association on Mad
ison square south, starts the new year
well with an important art exhibition
that Of the collection OF Chinese rugs be-
longing to Thomas II. Clarke. The rugs
VII remain on public view until the
sale. when begins next Wednesday. The
uoriod Is altogether too short Tor such an
exhibition, as the rugs are so rich and
varied in style as to provide "A liberal
education in these Oriental weavngs.
1t seems but few years ago that
Americans and the world In general re-
rarded the Chinese rug more in the ma
turc OF a curiosity than as an object OF
at. but as more and more OF them were
imported gradually the cult for them
grew they were studied and understood.
and now of all rugs they may fairly be
said TO he the most fashionable.
Mr. Clarke, who has asserted his
genius as a collector in several mediums
his selections among ceramics and Amer
lean paintings having made him famous,
proves 1t anew with these Chinese rugs,
The beauty OF which he WAS among the
first In the country to appreciate. In
hin private collection, which he Is includ-
ing in this sale with rugs Of stock. are
remarkable specimens, and even persons
,lready familiar with this art will doubt
less meet with the unexpected. All sizes
and EatcEOIltN Nlf flit'flAA'hs
MANY Of the so-called animal rugs viii
he surprise. There is rot only the
strange Fu. but rug OF the famous
Eight Horses and the signs OF the 90
diac appear. Among the birds that APP
near I'm the weavings may be seen tbs
fabulous harbinger OF good luck. the
crane that brings longevity with him
storks and even song birds in full nigh
or poised upon swayiug boughs. A lor
rug is formed to the shape OF the ami
mails skin In orange. white, and black
ord tho name and paws are tufted witt
longer woods to indicate the increased
length of fur. as
The rug OF the Eight Horsee, No. 52I
In tho catalogue. dates from the Chlen-
lung period The light fawn Of the mar
row panel is so threaded with pale ye!.
lowish green as to accent the old gold
aspect. while the mirgllng OF reddish
and pink tones gives a fnc old rose as
background for the field and border.
The eight alert horses are disposed about
the field In various attitudes. They
.y1nboNze the famous te,rses or che
energetic Emperor Mu Wang. whose
charioteer is said to have driven with
his master wherever hoofs had trod OF
wheel ruts ran throushout the ancient
realm
Another rarity. and possibly a uniqu'
pattern. consists Of eight varying geomet
rical figures ON which are various orna
ments of the household--these figures II
aharp contrast TO a BACKGROUND OF deel
sea blue \ brilliant golden swastk;
fret border binds II In. Is ang-hsl rug
No 500, Is most curious and interesting
on the tawuy background may be seei
In dark blue many objects, among then
ancient bronze ceremonial vessels, isl
howl with fish. a gourd shaped vase will
a branch OF fungus, butterflies with
leaf. dish of fruit, a sounding stone
gong and counting board.
whole gallery Is given up TO sma
rugs, among which are many OF unusua
shapes such ms those that were used wit
saddles on horses. \ small seventeent
century rug has q design OF two tiger
the bodies stretched Hat across the RI
IN tawny yellow, and with gray utilize
about the mouth and paws, the markiu
being n darker brown. Another rare pat
tern shows proud rooster perched upo
roof or projection, with tree near by