Evening star., 1926-05-30
PRINCE L|NGERS
LONG AT GALLERY
Finds Many Rare Pieces to
Delight His Connoisseur's
Eye in Freer Collection.

No, since it's establishment some
wears ago has the F'reer Gallery of
Art had a. more interested visitor
within it's portals than yesterday.
when Grown Prince Gustavus Adol-
phus of Sweden dropped in" for
what was expected TO be a brief tour
of inspection.
Those in charge of the princes
program OF entertainment had not
reckoned with his profound love for
Oriental antiquities. however, and
when his royal highness found him
self amid one of the finest collections
of ancient Chinese and Japanese art
In the world there was literally no
getting him away until he had en-
amined every item of interest.
SO wrapped up was the future king
Of Sweden in the rare idols, carvings,
tapestries and bronze work on dis
play there that his consort. Crown
Princess Louise Alexandra, finally
left him at the gallery and returned
to the Swedish legation to prepare for
luncheon, almost overdue at the time.
Chinese Art COnnoisseur.
The Crown Princes frequent excla-
nations of Most interesting" eX-
pressed exactly his attitude through
out his tour of inspection, which was
conducted Jointly by Dr. Charles d.
Walcott. secretary of the Smithsonian
Institution. and John f. Lodge,
curator of the gallery.
The heir apparent to the Swedish
throne is by way of being one of the
worlds foremost connoisseurS of Chi
nese art and is even now en- route to
China to take personal charge Of a
Swedish archaeological expedition sent
out under his patronage some time
ago. He has presided over the
Swedish Oriental Society and the
Swedish China Committee, which has
supported extensive and epoch making
explorations by Prof. j. Gunnar An
derson of the University OF Stockholm
and official adviser to the Chinese gov
ernment.
The Grown Prince himself pos
sesses probably the most complete and
valuable collection of Chinese objects
vate ownership.
Finds Unique Piece.
Hence It was not surprising to
those who knew of these facts to see
the prince pause long and eagerly
over some mutilated Buddha piece of
Jade or oxidized vessel Of bronze.
Once, when the prince came to a
glass-inclosed case containing some
antique bronzes of the sixth Chinese
dynasty, he halted. with widening
eyes, and announced his desire to
have the case opened so that he could
examine closely curious bronze toi-
let box that had caught his eye.
"Why, that is the only one of it's
kind in existence" he remarked to
Curator Lodge. There is but one
other in. the world partially resem-
bling it, in Japan. That one is paint
ed and colored inside. L wonder IL
this one is, too?"
An attendant was summoned and
the case was unlocked. The prince
lifted the lid from the small box and
found that his conjecture regarding
the interior decorations was correct.
He appeared delighted at seeing this
rare piece, and while the case re-
mained open took the opportunity Of
picking up two small bronze utensils
and studying them closely.
Visits Wedding Reception.
The visit to the Freer Gallery was
preceded by stops at the Corcoran
Gallery Of Art, the Pan-American
Building and at the National Press
Club. The royal pair took luncheon
at the Swedish legation. paid an i'm
promptu call at the Pan-American
Building during the Bruce Mellon
wedding reception and then attended
the unveiling of the Ericsson
Memorial.
Later in the evening they received
a delegation of the Vasa Orden OF
America, Swedish patriotic society, and
afterward were rendered an official
dinner at the legation by the Minister
of Sweden and Nine. Bostrom.
Today they will be guests Of Secre-
tary Wilbur aboard the Sylph on q
trip down the Potomac to Mount Yer
non. They will. attend services this
morning at the Luther Memorial
Church, at Thomas Circle.