CHINESE ART.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 224, 22 September 1938, Page 7

CHINESE ART.

DISPLAY AT MUSEUM.

RUTHERSTON COLLECTION.

EARLY CIVILISATION.

A notable display of Chinese art has been added to the exhibits at the Auckland War Memorial Museum through the action of Mrs. C. L. Rutherston and her daughter, Mrs. C. Powell.

In a report received at a meeting of the Auckland Institute and Museum Council yesterday the director of the museum, Mr. Gilbert Archey, said that the collection was displayed in the Chinese art exhibition organised by Captain Humphreys Davies two years ago, but, by Mrs. Rutherston's permission, her collection remained in Xew Zealand after the return of the other specimens to England and France, and had been exhibited in other parts of Xew Zealand. Mrs. Rutherston had kindly deposited the collection in the Auckland Museum for a further period of two years. Bronzes and Jades. Mr. Archey said that it was a most important loan, the collection including bronzes, jades and pottery of the earliest period of Chinese civilisation. There were bronze chariot-pole and axle decorations of the seventeenth century, 8.C., equally ancient votive and ritual ornaments in jade, the earliest glazel and painted pottery, as well as examples of the thin, hard, resonant porcelain which the Chinese invented a thousand years ago. The art itself in the pieces was as notable as the technique. Even the miniature size of the pottery, and carved wood figures of priests and officials, could not lessen their calm dignity, and the cast and sculptured animal figures also conveyed an impression of virility and strength far beyond their actual volume. Mr. Archey added that the Chinese section of the museum has a gratifying completeness at the moment, for, besides the Rutherston collection, it included pottery figures presented two years ago by Captain HumphreysDavies, and a collection lent by Captain C. W. Collins, of Rhodesia. Captain Humphreys-Davies has also lent his own collection of pottery, porcelain and jade yases and ornaments, and they were indebted to him for undertaking the whole of the arrangement of the present augmented display. Knows Auckland Museum. The president, Mr. C. Reginald Ford, said Mrs. Rutherston had spent a considerable time in New Zealand, and was actuated in her decision by the excellent arrangements at the Auckland Museum. She was familiar with museums overseas, and knew of none where exhibits were arranged in such an excellent way as in Auckland.

A vote of thanks was passed.