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Dr. S. Y. Yip
Sponsored by the William S. Jackson
family
Pair of Cabinets
China
1300s-1600s
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Conversation:
"The Culture of Collecting Chinese Antiques"
Dr. S. Y. Yip will discuss the various motivations of collectors
and point out the personality traits that might influence the
directions in which they venture. In his conversation with Ronald
Otsuka, curator of Asian art, he will describe the comprehensive
approach necessary to build a good collection, with an emphasis
on how to research, acquire, and preserve objects. He will present
his ideas on how to manage your collection, including when to
dispose of objects.
February 1, 2000
Workshop:
"Secrets of Collecting Ming Furniture"
Dr. S. Y. Yip will discuss the specifics of collecting Ming furniture,
including the materials used, classification, cultural aspects,
and rarity. Among the things he will consider are the wood's patina,
carved motifs, joinery construction, and the assessment of repairs
and additions. He will describe the role his friends, fellow collectors,
curators, academics, and dealers have played in his collecting.
Dr. Yip will review the archaeological discovery of twelfth-century
Chinese furniture in tombs of the Liao (907-1125) and Jin (1115-1234)
dynasties and conclude with an evaluation of folk furniture from
the twelfth to nineteenth century.
February 2, 2000
Event
Highlights
Biography
Articles
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Dr.
Simon Kwan
Sponsored by Celeste and John Fleming
Perfumer
China
1600s-1900s
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Conversation:
"Changing Styles in Bamboo Carvings of the Qing Dynasty"
Dr. Simon Kwan will address the development of Chinese bamboo
carving as an art form at the end of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644).
During the succeeding Qing dynasty (1644-1911), several hundred
scholars and artists practiced bamboo carving. The most famous
were the members of the Jiading School near Shanghai, but historical
research and excavations have revealed many individual styles
and techniques. Dr. Kwan will propose a tentative chronology of
the changing styles of Qing bamboo carving.
February 9, 2000
Workshop:
"Re-dating Zhang Xihuang, the Master Carver of China"
Dr. Simon Kwan will investigate the puzzling identity of Zhang
Xihuang, the well-known bamboo carver, who has traditionally been
assigned to the sixteenth century. Zhang used a special technique
known as liuqing, in which the skin of the bamboo is retained
to reveal a design. However, there appear to be no other examples
of this technique between the late Ming and mid-Qing dynasties.
No record of Zhang's name is mentioned in Ming texts, and none
of his work is found in the Qing Imperial Collection. Why did
Zhang become famous only at the beginning of the twentieth century?
Are his pieces genuine? Was he really a Ming bamboo carver?
February 10, 2000
Event
Highlights
Biography
Articles
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Robert C. Tang
Sponsored by Anne and Johnny Hsu
Inscribed Bronze Figure
China
1000s-700s
BC
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Conversation:
"Personal Experiences in Collecting Chinese Jade, Ceramics, and
Metalwork"
Robert C. Tang has experienced great joy in collecting—finding
something, buying it, learning about it, and living with it. He
has also had some painful moments, missing a chance to get a good
piece or discovering something to be a fake. For him, collecting
has been an enriching activity: "One learns much about a particular
culture, whether one's own or not. Collecting beautiful things
also opens one's eyes." In a conversation with Ronald Otsuka,
curator of Asian art, Tang will describe his personal interests
in collecting Chinese art. He favors jades, but also collects
bronzes, which he finds more impersonal and intimidating. He also
loves ceramics of the Song dynasty (960-1279) because of their
form, color and design. By collecting such a wide range of objects,
Tang has acquired pieces that broadly represent Chinese culture.
April 20, 2000
Workshop:
"Personal Favorites of an Open-Minded Collector—Examining
Chinese Jade, Ceramics, and Metalwork"
Robert C. Tang will share his thoughts about several objects from
his collection. They include jades from the Neolithic period (about
5000-1700 BC) to the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), silver from the
Tang (618-907) and Liao (907-1125) dynasty, ceramics of the Song
dynasty (960-1279), and polychrome wucai (five color) porcelain
of the Wanli period (1573-1620). He will recount why he prefers
collecting such a diverse range of Chinese art, rather than focusing
on a particular area of specialization. He will describe the advantages
and disadvantages of being a generalist. Noting the merits of
collecting in several different fields, he will also offer words
of caution for those who choose not to specialize.
April 21, 2000
Event
Highlights
Biography
Articles
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Kenneth Chu and Betty Lo
Sponsored by the William S. Jackson
family
Hairpin
(detail)
China
900s-1200s
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Conversation:
"Searching the Soul of a Chinese Art Collector—The Joy, the
Agony, and the Legend"
Kenneth Chu and Betty Lo formed their Mengdiexuan Collection over
a twenty-five year period and will share their personal stories
about how they formed this collection as a husband and wife team.
They will cite actual cases to demonstrate the joy and agony that
they have experienced over their many years of collecting. In
particular, they will tell how they feel about certain objects
in their collection. Beyond their archaeological significance
and aesthetic value, these pieces have a unique meaning and extraordinary
sentimental value for them.
May 1, 2000
Workshop:
"Adornment for Eternity—The Glamour of Chinese Ornament from
the Liao Dynasty (907-1125)"
Kenneth Chu and Betty Lo will share their knowledge about collecting
Liao dynasty metalwork, amber, crystal, and agate. They will discuss
the historical background of these objects and describe how the
Qidans, a semi-nomadic pastoral people in Northern China, came
into power. The Qidans founded the Liao dynasty and imparted their
unique style to the personal ornaments and horse fittings that
they used. Chu and Lo will compare objects from the Mengdiexuen
Collection to those excavated from the famous tomb of Princess
Chenguo, demonstrating what a royal prince or princess would have
worn around a thousand years ago.
May 2, 2000
Event
Highlights
Biography
Articles
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Professor Li Boqian
Sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. William Chak
Professor
Li Boqian
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Conversation:
"Early Chinese Bronzes—The Perfect Harmony of Thought and
Art"
The Bronze Age in China (about 2100-700 BC) has a long and fascinating
history. Professor Li Boqian will discuss the ritual vessels that
were so highly prized by the ancient Chinese. A bronze object
identified the social status of its owner. There was a great demand
for ritual vessels of varied shapes, each with a particular name
and function. These ritual bronzes were decorated with different
patterns, including a composite beast-like face that some think
was the means of communication between humans and spirits. The
shape and decoration of these vessels expressed essential Chinese
beliefs and represented a "perfect harmony between thought and
art." Researching and appreciating ancient bronzes is one of the
most effective ways of understanding Chinese culture.
June 15, 2000
Workshop:
"Authenticating Early Chinese Bronzes"
Professor Li Boqian will examine ancient Chinese bronzes from
the Denver Art Museum's collection and will discuss them in terms
of their shape and decoration. His assessment will include comments
about problematic pieces presently relegated to the storeroom.
This workshop will provide information on how to examine Chinese
bronzes and determine their significance.
June 16, 2000
Event
Highlights
Biography
Articles
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Professor Quan Kuishan
Sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. William
Chak
Professor
Quan Kuishan
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Conversation:
"The Craft of Ancient Chinese Porcelain," June 16, 2000
The Chinese art of porcelain developed gradually, but its history
is marked by stages of great improvements and innovations. Professor
Quan Kuishan will discuss how the manufacture of porcelain requires
a marriage of technology and art. It is necessary to have (1)
the raw material of porcelain clay (2) the technical means to
refine it (3) the skill to shape it (4) the ability to decorate
it (5) the process of glazing it, and (6) the ability to fire
it in a kiln. As early as 1600 BC, the Chinese were already making
proto-porcelain objects. By the Eastern Han period (AD 25-220),
technology had improved enough to produce a mature porcelain ware.
Porcelain manufacture further improved through the Tang dynasty
(618-907) and truly flourished during the Song (960-1279) and
Yuan (1279-1368) dynasties. The splendid accomplishments of the
Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties elevated the porcelain
industry to a new level of achievement.
June 16, 2000
Workshop:
"Authenticating Ancient Chinese Porcelain," June 15, 2000
Professor Quan Kuishan will discuss examples
of Chinese ceramics from the Denver Art Museum's collection and
will describe the development of porcelain manufacture, both technically
and artistically. His comments will serve as a guide for those
who are interested in collecting Chinese porcelains. This workshop
will provide information on how to examine Chinese porcelains
and determine their quality and importance.
June 15, 2000
Event
Highlights
Biography
Articles
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