Evening star., 1942-01-18

shelters have been provided, anC
are in use, for safeguarding invalu-
able paintings, rare statuary. his
toric papers and irreplaceable
scientific objects.
The Corcoran Gallery has moi
had in some time more interesting
or delightful exhibitions than 1t is
having at present Moreover, its
calendar is dated up to April 4
with a series of exhibitions includ-
ing the Adolphe Borie show which
opened yesterday. On January 81
an exhibition of Naval Defense
Activities, in water colors and draw
ings by Vernon Howe Bailey which
have been authorized by the Secre-
tary of the Navy, will be on view.
In talking to Mr.. Ruel P. Tolman,
director of the National Collection
of Fine Arts. Smithsonian Institu-
ton, he made it clear that every
possible step was being taken to
keep the museum attractive and
interesting.
Exquisite Chinese Pieces
Shown at Smithsonian.
The museum certainly presents
a charming. refreshing appearance,
and exhibits are being changed
from time to time. Just lately many
of the Japanese exhibits have been
removed and replaced with beauti-
full Chinese fabrics, embroideries
and worries. Speaking of worries.
there Is now on exhibition in the
Pell collection an exquisite set Of
rose tinted ivory chessmen carved
with infinite skill and patience in
cobwebby lace effects, the queens
and kings carved as native Chinese
with all the charm and artistry Of
their native costumes and the
pawns delicate in their imagery.
We were intrigued at the National
Museum by a most unusual and
beautiful collection of jade, jadite,
lapis lazuli, gold amber amethyst
and other quartz The collection
was loaned by Mr.. Georges Estoppey
of New Jersey and is one of the
rarest small collections in this coun-
try.
There are dainty figurines-
about 10 inches high, lovely ex-
amples of rosy jade. Deeply carved
pieces show dainty bits of trans
lucent white jade through a net
work of delicate green vines or
flowers. The masterpiece of the
exhibition, as far as money value
is concerned, is a very beautiful and
minutely carved vase about IL inches
high of white Jade. This is Of the
Chen Lung period of 1875 and
1795, not old for Chinese art
object.
An antique agricultural piece cut
from solid boulder of mutton-fat
jade took 13 years to carve 1t is
IL by 4 inches and about inches
tall. The elephant, inset with rubies
and sapphires on its hind and fore
quarters, is harnessed to a plow
by chain of links as delicate as
a thread, and driven by an old man
with a long white beard.
A pupil of Confucius asked him:
NdolCl. Willy 40 IL l1ldC WlSC lllCli
value jade more than other stones?"
The answer was: 1T is not because
jade is rare that it is so highly
valued, it is because, ever since the
olden days. wise men have seen in
jade all the different virtues. It
Is soft, smooth and shining. like
kindness: it is hard, fine and strong,
like intelligence its edges seem
sharp but do not cut, like justice;
1t hangs down to the ground, like
humility: when struck, it gives
clear ringing sound, like music;
the stains in it. which are not hid
den and which add to its beauty, are
like truthfulness: its brightness is
like Heaven, while it's firm sub
stance, born of the mountains and
the waters, is like the earth.
The Book of Poetry says: When
I think of a wise man. he seems
to me like jade'-that is why wise
men like jade"