Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-05
ORIENTAL POTTERY
LISTED AT MUSEUM
Department of Archaeology
Announces Collection of Rare
Specimens Centuries Old.

Characteristic in type, rare in execu-
ton, unique in decoration and bearing
the impress of the centuries, briefly
describes a collection of Oriental pot
terry just acquired by the Department
of Archaeology of the National Museum.
DR.. Walter Hough, head curator of the
department., identifies the workman
ship of this collection as belonging to
the various centuries dating as far back
as the seventh. Persian IN name, these
rare objects show descent from the
potter's lost art of the vanished civiliza-
tons of the ancient East.
Specimens of Rare Design.
Affected by long burial in the earth
which brings out a lovely irideScence,
Dr. Hough said, these pottery specl-
mems are of rare interest to the archie
ologist. Since the earliest time, precious
metals and especially the luster OF the
highly priced copper CT the dim and
dusty past. have been used for deco
rative purposes. This collection, to the
extent of two or three stable bowls,
DR.. Hough explained, displays the skill
of the ancients in applying the copper
1uster by process of painting and
firing.
Some Of the pieces, deep bowls with
one small foot, after the Chinese
fashion, are distinctive in type since
they represent a special stage OF
progress in the evolution Of pottery.
Early in the ninth century, the skill
attained by the Chinese In making this
type of pottery vessels aroused the
spirit of rivalry in the Persians. As a
result their ruler sent special messen-
- ncly-
ing for trained artisans to teach the
Persian subjects Chinese methods. The
joint artistic efforts of these two nations
resulted in a blending of Chinese form
and technique with Persian workman
ship, eliminating in a unique type of
the art. This Chinese-Persian culture
reached the height of its development
early in the twelfth century.
Persian Rivalry in 9th Century.
During the latter half of the ninth
century, the Persian spirit of rivalry
was likewise aroused by the talent ex-
hibited by the neighboring ArmenianS
in producing bright colors for pottery
decoration. The secret of making
bright reds and blues was for centuries
known only to the Armenians. The
Persian desire to acquire this knowl-
edge finally grew so acute that the
Persian ruler, Shah AbbaZ, forced the
Armenians TO labor in Persian work.
shops and to produce their native art
as Persian product. Although resent
full, the Arpenians yielded the secret
of their art, it is said, due to the
diplomacy of Shah Abbaz, who after
the fashion of Haroun-a l-Raschid
mingled with them in disguise. He
visited the workshops dressed as a
peasant consoling the Armenians with
kindly conversation as well as honoring
them with his presence at their places
of worship and even feasting them.
Thus, gaining the admiration and con-
f1dence of the Armenian people, Shah
Abbaz likewise obtained the secret Of
producing bright colors, especially the
cobalt blue, which to the present time
is popularity accredited to Persian
talent.
Bowl Held Choicest Specimen.
A bowl inches in diameter and 4
inches deep, decorated with flowing de-
signs of cobalt blue, reminding one Of
the graceful traceries OF the art of the
ancient East, is considered by DR..
Hough as the choicest specimen in the
collection.
The acquisition of this material from
IL Calusd art collection of this city
was made possible by the aid of the
Bruce Hughes Archaeological Fund.