The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-06-15
WHAT CHINA SHOWS.
Articles of Great Ase--Furniture of Euro.
pean Dcsisn--The "Lost Arts.o

Articles of Great AEe-.Furniture of Euro.
pean Dcsisn--The "Lost Arts"
On the opening day at the Exhibition
quite incomplete, but the past three
weeks workmen have been busily en-
gagged making pagcdas, arranging show
cases, and placing in order constantly
arriving exhibits. China's display,
though smaller than that of Japan, con-
tains much that is curious, and will give
the observer a much clearer idea of the
national handiwork than could be con-
veyed by any published description.
One remarkable fact, shown by the
chinaware on exhibition, is that the
work of 600 years ago can be distin-
guished by the superiority in its pure
coloring from that of recent date, thus
demonstrating that this nation so an
cient is to be numbered among those who
have their "lost arts" A much higher
price attaches to these ancient pieces
A plain globular china jar about twelve
inches in height is sold at 500, while one
precisely like it except in coloring is
valued at $400.
The pavilion of this great nation,
which is on the south side of the Main
building, is readily found by the visi-
tor, owing to the large number of Gu
polas and pinnacles that tower to the
roof. On the right of the peculiarly
Chinese entrance are the exhibits of Hu
Kioang Yung, one of the richest men in
the country. His collection consists of
large China articles, highly ornamented
in enamel of great age. The figures
are grotesque, and the pieces are japan
ed in the pure colors which modern
Chinese art cannot reproduce. One of
the articles is peculiar formed bowl
of large dimensions and most elaborate
ly wrought. 1t stands on three fowls
representing cranes, and has extending
from opposite sides square spouts, Civ
ing the idea of an immense teapot. It
has been sold for S2, 500, its value being
derived from its age, which is fixed at
500 years. 1t is stated that every arti
of this description in the exhibit, ex-
cept one, has been sold.
Tie showcases are very peculiar and
striking in appearance to the Occidental
eye, the center case at the main entrance
being fac-simile of the Token Guild
Hong or Merchants Exchange at Ming
Pc. 1t is filed with beautiful silk pat
terms, the plainest being valued at S16
per yard. In the collection of high
priced wares further along is small
plain green glass about four inches high,
and resembling vase for holding
flowers. 1t looks like some old orna-
mented worth fifty cents, but has out
lived 500 years and is worth 425 at the
lowest. There is very rich set of
chessmen made of ivory, and repre-
ing figures, one within tise other, and
yet so separate that one cannot cease
wondering how human skill could fash
ion them. There are also several brush
handles, elaborately finished with ornate
pieces of silverware. Some of these
articles are said to have been purchased
by the Pennsylvania museum and school
of industrial art. Tables of mosaic
wood and bone work are much admired,
and is collection of modern and an
cient chinaware which cannot fail to at
tract attention. The designs of the lat
ter are less fanciful than those of the
former, and flowers and birds are the
chief subjects of ornamentation.
Among the most curious features of
the department is q suite of furniture
strictly European in design. 1t consists
of double tete-a-tete two-arm chair and
two center tables. The wood used in
manufacture is ebony, and very elaborate
in carvings. The chair and tete. a-tete
cushions are covered with dark blue
silk with a raised figure running through
it, making the combination quite deli
cate one. The tables are of the usual
circular pattern, and neatly ornamented.
There is bedstead, exquisite as well as
peculiar in its carvings. 1t is made of
a light colored oiled wood, the legs be-
ing elaborately carved in frightful look
ing figures. Instead of the usual Stats
a finely woven cane bottom is stretched
across from the posts, and rising in
graceful senicircle from the head to the
footboard is beautiful frail framework.
Over this is stretched white silk cover
ing, and upon it, in bright colors, are
stamped Chinese scenes. A large bed,
with high posts and solid top, is gor-
geously carved in lowers and small
figures. This carved work is one of the
most interesting features of the Chinese
exhibit. There are many other articles
on exhibition we'll worth describing, and
considerable time may be proftably ex-
pended iE looking at the wonders of the
Celestial empire.