Part of the astounding single-owner collection of Alexander Murray of New York City, including more than 50 pieces of one-of-a-kind, hand-made textiles spanning 250 years of Japanese history, will come up for bid at an auction scheduled for Saturday, October 26, 2019, by Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers, online and in the Cranston gallery at 63 Fourth Avenue.

The Murray collection at one time featured more than 1,000 pieces, including kimono, obi, theatrical costumes and kesa from the Edo, Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods. The offerings in the Bruneau catalog represent 52 exquisite examples. Also offered will be over 250 Japanese scroll paintings and over 20 bronze and iron antique Buddha figures.

The Katonah Museum of Art in Katonah, New York featured these very kimonos as part of its Lethal Beauty Exhibit of Samurai Weapons and Armor from October 12 through January 4, 2015. The Nippon Gallery in New York City exhibited the offered collection of kimonos as part of its Essence of Kimono exhibition in July and August of 2013.  

The textiles collection is unmatched in its breadth and diversity, representing every type of weaving, dyeing and decorative technique in silk, cotton, hemp, ramie, and wool. 

 “Asian arts have always been a specialty of mine, and this sale hits me right in the sweet spot,” said Kevin Bruneau, president of Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers. “Plus, Alex is a great guy to work with and we couldn’t be prouder to represent the collection. High fashion has come to Bruneau.” 

Travis Landry, a Bruneau & Co. auctioneer, and specialist added, “Auctioneering this sale is certainly going to hold some surprises, especially when it comes to the scrolls. I’m very curious to see what pops and what doesn’t. I’m sure out of 253 scrolls there are bound to be some gems.” Landry added that the original paintings have presale estimates ranging from $50-10,000.

Kimonos promise to be a major attraction. A circa 1890 Meiji Period hand-painted Furisode kimono, lined with a striking brocade and boasting a 49-1/2 inch wingspan, is estimated to bring $2,000-3,000. The hand-woven light blue silk crepe five crested kimono is decorated with yuzen dye flowers rendered with multiple tones and depth accentuated by embroidery.

Several pieces date to Japan’s Edo Period (1603-1868) and include embroidered gold crane Uchikake kimono, circa 1840,hand-woven pale gray silk with hand embroidery of gold thread cranes, gold couching and pale pink cherry blossoms; 49-inch wingspan, 23-inch body, 63-inch length (est. $1,500-2,500).  

As well as embroidered cranes Uchikake kimono, circa 1840,hand-woven red silk crepe with beautifully rendered hand-embroidered cranes and foliage, gold thread accents and couching. 49-1/4-inch wingspan, 24-inch body, 62-inch length (est. $1,500-2,500); and a circa 1800 purple silk brocade Kesa textile,hand-woven with rich gold thread flowers throughout, measuring 44 inches by 44 inches (est. $1,500-2,500).Online bidding will be offered by LiveAuctioneers.com, Invaluable.com, Bidsquare.com, and bidLIVE.Bruneauandco.com, plus the mobile app “Bruneau & Co.” on iTunes or GooglePlay. Previews will be held Thursday and Friday, October 24 and 25, from 9 AM to 5 PM ET, and on auction day at 9 AM. The auction will begin at 11 AM with no presale auction beforehand.

After this auction, Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers have two major events lined up for the balance of 2019, also online and in the Cranston gallery. They include an Estate Antiques & Fine Art Auction on Saturday, November 16 and a Comics & Toys Auction on Saturday, December 14. 

Bruneau & Co. is currently accepting quality consignments for that and all future auctions, with commissions as low as zero percent. To consign a single piece or an entire collection, Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers can be reached via info@bruneauandco.comor (401) 533-9980.

To learn more about Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers and the Saturday, October 26auction, visit www.bruneauandco.com. Updates are posted frequently.