Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-08-08
By. Harriet Griffiths

A special exhibition of
Chinese bronzes which the
Freer Gallery Of Art has added
to its collections in the last
eight years or so arouses new
admiration for the artistic
refinement of the ancient
dynaStieS.
The objects are from the
Shang, the first dynasty from
which there is historical rec
ord but the second according
to Chinese tradition, the Chou
and the Han dynasties. The
works are dated in the period
from about the 18th century
BIC. to 200 AID.
The collection consists mostly
of ceremonial vessels, but other
items include q Shang AK with
two tiny bare feet imprinted
J on it, a dagger, an early Chou
monster mask, and a jeweled
gilt bronze plaque and a figure
of an acrobat from the late
Chou period.
Fine, intricate design work
on a Shang ceremonial vessel
becomes the more remarkable
with the realization that it was
cast. The objects rarely were
worked after the metal hard
ened. Fragments Of molds have
been discovered. but the exact
processes of the superb tech
nicians never have been
solved.
Time Has Embellished
The vessels bear Inscriptions
In the Chinese language Of
the period, mostly dedications
to ancestors, and thus actually
are the earliest historical docu-
ments.
The chemistry OF time has
worked lovely patinas on the
bronze in shades of green. blue
and red. Freer laboratory re-
searchers are working to find
out more about the compost
ton of the metals used by the
ancient bronze artisans.
The ceremonial vessels gen.
orally have q solid, elaborate
character, but two Of the late
Shang pieces in the collection
have exceptionally graceful
flowing lines. One large vessel
has an unfortunate wealth Of
vertical flanges, to my mind,
but many other marvellous de-
tails. There is ninth century
BIC. Chou vessel with q hob
nail surface.
Intriguing. imaginative ami
mails are frequent decorations.
in both high and low relief.
sometimes so delicate that one
misses them without q careful
scrutiny.
The gilt bronze plaque is Dor
dered. In rolling sculptured
waves in which tiny animals
play and is inlaid with jade,
turquoise, carnelian and sill
yer.
The small acrobat figure is
one balancing q bear on q
stick. Probably q circus per-
former, he wears a tiny sword
on his back. He Is believed not
to be Chinese. because Of his
costume, but possibly q bar
barian from Central Asia.
An Era Of Bronze
The special exhibition Is. Of
course. in addition to the
Freer's regularly displayed ex-
amples of the Chinese excel
lence in bronze work.
John A Pope. assistant di-
rector Of the gallery. COM
mentS:
I'm ancient China. bronze
was the metal par excellence.
the most precious metal they
had. and as such was used for
the most important purpose in
life, the worship Of the ances-
tors Of the court and the no.
bility.
Beyond this, very little is
known; and the rich symbol
ism involved In all the alb
stract and zoomorphic designs
cast on the surfaces Of these
ritual vessels is only very inn
perfectly understood. AS tech
nical accomplishments and as
objects of beauty and sophis-
tication they command our adj
miration. but our knowledge of
many phases of this era Of
Chinese culture Is only In its
infancy.
"This group Of Jbronzes