Evening star., 1946-09-15
Images Denote Time
Buddhism Reached China

DuuuillSl1 NcdCHCu NIIiIld
During four centuries between
those two periods, there were a
number of minor dynasties during
which Buddhism, imported from In
dia in the first century BIC, de-
veloped rapidly. Two small gilt
bronze objects, one an image of the
Buddha of healing. the other a
Buddhist icon, represent this period
along with a pair OF plaques, each
thin sheet of gold with winged
horse in relief.
The Tang period (618-906 ADJ
was a great time Of enlightened
leadership, foreign contacts, reli-
gious intolerance and golden age
of literature as well as pottery. A
superb amphora in the Freer Gal
lery's exhibition exemplifjes the in
huence of early Greek pottery on
the art of the Chinese. The influ-
ence of India, too, was at its height
in this period, as Is illustrated in
the lively stone guardian lion, a
gilt bronze monster mask and the
charming little gold Buddhist
angels" The most impressive
Buddhist object is a gilt bronze
miniature sarcophagus, among the
many details of which are four ar
mored figures in remarkably hfelike
poses.
During the Sung period painting
achieved a high development, as
the visitor can see in five impressive
examples in this exhibition. In ad-
dition to great landscape painters
the Sung period was distinguished
by gifted ceramists. Caladons an6
other fine wares of these centuries
are shown in varied and colorful
examples. The gallery's handbook
informs us that the term probably
originated in Europe in the 18th
century when the wares were first
seen there, and it refers to the color
range But long before that time
Near Eastern rulers, it is said, es-
teemed caladons as food dishes, in
the belief that any poison introduced
into their food would reveal itself by
changing the color of the glaze
Another Sung ware has curious
"earthWorm markings" which were
highly priced by connoisseurs. The
visitor has to look sharp" to iden-
tify these variations in the glaze.
Buddhist images of the Sung and
following Yuan dynasties are among
the most interesting exhibits on
view The earlier is a gilt bronze
Kuan-yin or Goddess of Mercy
The Yuan Bodhisattva (illustrated)
represents a Buddhist saint who has
accumulated enough virtue to be-
come Buddha in the next incarna-
ton. 1t was made in the dry lac
quer technique and is hard but very
light in weight.
Porcelain Reaches
Finest Development
Porcelain reached it's finest de.
velopment Under the Ming en-
perors (mid-14th to mid-17th cen.
turies). Two cases containing ex'
amples of the superb ceramics O
Ming and Oh ing Ito 1912 dynastie
will probably impress majority O
visitors as the most beautiful dis
plays in the special exhibition. Th
technical perfection of these wares
the variety of shapes and colors, tn
intricate and exquisite decoration
of some of the later items, commanc
our deepest admiration. Amon'
them are number of types familia
to Occidental collectors, who hav'
lovingly named them moon glow,
"blanc de chine" peach bloom" ant
apple green" porcelains.
The Freer Gallery's special exhibi
ton is concluded with painting OF
silk and paper, representing the las
four great periods.
In studying the evolution o
China's culture, even in an ab
breviated display such as this, !
occurs to some of us that the Chi
nese are the worlds foremost race
Judged from the standpoint of con
tinuous civilization. What othe
! DCcpIc Wcic Bicdt tIiiouSil tIic hey
days OF Egypt, Greece and Rome
enjoyed several renaissances durinI
Europe's dark ages, and reached
and maintained its own specia
glory throughout Europe's renais
sance? China is exhausted nov
after enduring the longest periot
of World War II, followed by in
ternal dissension But those wht
know their history must feel opti
lmistic about her future.