A VALUABLE COLLECTION.

Otago Witness, 1 June 1910, Page 18

A VALUABLE COLLECTION.

(Feom Oub, Own CoaitESPONDENT.)

AUCKLAND, May 24. An exceptionally fine collection of objects of Japanese art has been lent to the Aucldand Museum by a well-known resident. The first object in the collection to strike the eye is an elaborately carved Chinese shrine, which stands in a prominent position at the head of the room. This shrine, which has a height of about 7ft, and a width of about 4ft, is carved out of solid Chinese blackwood, and is beautifully inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The work is a marvel of the carver's art, and shows the wonderful stage reached by Eastern handier aft. Next to the shrine is an assortment of Japanese pottery and porcelain, comprising bowls, dishes, vases, etc., as well as an unusually good exhibit of the fine inlaid metal work known as cioissonne. There are also specimens of the celebrated sa-t----suma porcelain, and articles carved out of ivory, wood, and baked clay. Stretched along the wall at the back of some of the cases is a large Japanese temple flag of a length of nearly 20ft. This is most beautifully enibroiderd in gold and silver designs representing dragons, fishes, and the numerous other quaint designs of the earth and sea that the people of the Ee-st are SO' accustomed to emblazon on their flags. There are, likewise, some smaller flags which are also exquisitely embroidered. An adjoining case contains four antique Japanese clocks, resting on an elaborately veneered lady's writing table. One of the table cases in the centre of the room contains a collection of swords, illustrating the various kinds of weapons used by Japanese swordsmen until quite recent times. Another case contains an assortment of swords' hilt guards, which are constructed of beaten metal inlaid with gold, silver, and other metals, as well as a large number of the miniature swords and skewers, etc., which are affixed to the typical Japanese sword. There are other articles too numerous to particularise, but all of which enrich what is doubtless, the finest collection of its kind in the Dominion.