Tea-time treasures
Updated: 2016-02-23 07:10
By Lin Qi(China Daily)
|
|||||||||
Mak Po-tai, a collector of antiques for more than two decades. [Photo provided to China Daily] |
Explaining why he collects used items but not ones that were created as pure decorations, Mak says only when holding a cup that was used by ancient Chinese, can one feel the reality of people's lives and their spiritual world back then.
Mak buys mainly from antique dealers in Europe and Japan.
He travels to Japan five to six times a year looking for things to buy.
There, he has found not only systematic collections of Chinese antiques assembled since the Meiji restoration, but also discovered age-old antique making techniques that were introduced there from China but are now almost extinct.
Among the items he has acquired from Japan, and which are on display, are a black lacquer tea cup and stand of the Southern Song Dynasty.
Artisans produced a very thin wood body and painted on it black lacquer delicately drawn patterns by which they presented the same glitter and sophistication as that of porcelain ware.
Mak says this article shows how people's high standards at the time pushed forward the craftsmanship.
"Antiques are life. And collecting and sharing them bring more happiness than impetuous consumption," he says.
Chen Nian, a visitor to the exhibition, says that while recent years have seen a rush to collect large, pricey Qing porcelain, Mak's collection draws people's attention back to the true value of an antique "which lies not in how much it costs but its underlying grace".
If you go
Graces of Song Wares
9 am-4:30 pm, through March 20. Arthur M. Sackler Museum of Art and Archaeology, Peking University, 5 Yiheyuan Road, Haidian district, Beijing. 010-6275-9784.
Related:
Restoration of painted ceramic historical objects starts in Dunhuang
Reward offered for decoding ancient Indian gold coins
- The world in photos: Feb 15 - 21
- China Daily weekly pictures: Feb 13-19
- Lantern Festival in the Chinese paintings
- Meet Melanie, the real-life mermaid
- Samsung unveils new products at mobile conference in Spain
- 88th Academy Awards Governors Ball Press Preview
- Chinese photographers' work shines in major photo contest
- Egg carving master challenges Guinness World Record
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
8 highlights about V-day Parade |
Glimpses of Tibet: Plateaus, people and faith |
Chinese entrepreneurs remain optimistic despite economic downfall |
50th anniversary of Tibet autonomous region |
Tianjin explosions: Deaths, destruction and bravery |
Cinemas enjoy strong first half |
Today's Top News
What ends Jeb Bush's White House hopes
Investigation for Nicolas's campaign
Will US-ASEAN meeting be good for region?
Accentuate the positive in Sino-US relations
Dangerous games on peninsula will have no winner
National Art Museum showing 400 puppets in new exhibition
Finest Chinese porcelains expected to fetch over $28 million
Monkey portraits by Chinese ink painting masters
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |