The New York herald., 1922-11-22
De Forests Indian
Art Collection to
Go Under Hammer
Assembly Famous to COnnois-
seurs of Far Eastern Treas
ure to Be Dispersed.

The Lockwood de Forest residence on
East Tenth street. long famous to con-
nolsseurs of Far Eastern art, has been
dismantled of it's treasures. and they
are now on view at the American Art
Association, preparatory to sale No
Nember "a and 25 At the same time
there is an important showing of etch-
ings to be sold November 20 and "a
The De Forest collection is that of
an artist and one that will appeal to
artists. II is rich in carved wood. in
metal work. in arms. tiles and curios.
There Is much in IL that will surprise
the casual student and much that will
delight the knowing. Stewart Culin,
the curator of Oriental art of the Brook
kiyn Museum, regarded it highly and
rated 1t above the London collection
of the late Sir Frederick Leighton,
which was left TO the nation as a mu-
scum. Mr. De Forest. himself, who is
now in his Californian home has writ
ten that he thought the exhibition
might clear UP some of the misconcep-
tons of the public In regard to teak
wood. teak" being a much abused
word in this country.
Most of Mr.. DE Forests carvings were
made in the Indian workshops which
he esta bllshed in Ahmedabad In 1881,
where he had slsillful workmen who
were at that time continuing the ancient
traditions of craftsmanship. The cary
ingS these men produce were conceded
by Sir Purdon Clarke to be equal to
the work of the ancient carvers. Now
the workmen are dispersed and art
seems to be lost.
One OF the big pieces is sldeboard
designed by Mr.. De Forest in the Indian
manner and executed in India. The
carving is elaborate and in addition
there are eighty-three perforated copper
panels, each of different pattern.
Such lavish decoration Is inconceivable
outside of the Orient. There also Is
long series of teakwood bookcases, a
carved teakwood mantel, and over man
tel which is replica OF an ancient
temple door, a fine sideboard, cabinets,
portals. and teakwood arches and cas-
ings suitable for room decoration. All
OF these pieces are richly ornamented.
The Indian metal work divides itself
into objects made for religious worship
and those made for household and per-
sonal use, Mr.. De Forest stunning alb
solutely the commercial product that is
known as Berares ware. There are
brass wine vessels, spice boxes, docu-
ment cases, rosewater sprinklers,
salvers, coffee pots, censers, samovers.
swinging lamps, and other objects.
Some are beautifully chased and inlaid;
others are primitively simple and
quaint.
The collection of antique Damascus
chests, chest-fronts, and painted wood
work. is said to be the most important
yet made. Most Of the chests date
from the seventeenth century. with de-
signs of inlaid ,mother-of-pearl. The
Syro- Damascan tiles in polychrome,
date from the sixteenth and seventeenth
centuries and are now exceedingly rare.
The collection OF prints includes an
extensive set of Zorn etchings owned by
F'ritze's KungL Hofbokhandel, OF Swe-
den, that includes many rare impress
sions. Among these are "The Storm"
from the Gerbeau collection; the stand
ing Negress:" the "Axel Herman Haig;"
the mir. and Mrs. Furstenberg;" the
"Grover Cleveland" the New Bal
lad" "D'Estourdelles de Constant"
and ''Mr. and Mrs. Atherson Curtis"