Bulletin Number Five 1985

Exhibition of Archaeological Finds from the Jin to the Tang Periods in Guangdong The Art Gallery is mounting an exhibition of 'Archaeological Finds from the Jin to the Tang Periods i n Guangdong' from 7th December, 1985 t o 26th January, 1986. This exhibition, jointly organized by the Guangdong Provincial Museum and th e Art Gallery, is the fifth cooperative project with museums in Guangdong and its primary objective is to trace the historical and cultural developments of the Guangdong region from the Jin to the Tang periods, based on artefacts and data collected from archaeological excavations. A preview of the Exhibition was held on 6th December and Lady Bremridge was invited t o officiate at the opening ceremony. Dr. Ma Lin, the Vice- Chancellor, pointed out in his welcoming address that the exhibition represented the culmination of prolonged efforts of archaeologists both in Hong Kong and Guangdong and that it provided a forum for scholars from both places to exchange ideas for a fuller understanding of the history an d culture of South China. Mr. Wu Faze, Executive Director of the Guangdong Commission for the Preservation of Ancient Monument, also addressed the gathering on behalf of the Guangdong delegation.He emphasized the significance of the present Exhibition in the study and promotion of Guangdong culture and looked forward to closer cultural exchanges between Guangdong museums and The Chinese University. The Exhibition features more than one hundre d items of archaeological finds from the Jin to the Tang periods. They are gathered from various regions in Guangdong, excavated from burial, city or kiln site. Also included are archaeological materials excavated locally from such sites as Chek Lap Kok of Lantau Island and Shek Kong of the New Territories. The exhibits range from ceramics, bronzes, gold and silverware to soapstone carvings. The over fifty pieces of green-glazed porcelain present an interesting outline of the development of this ceramic ware. Highlights of the Exhibition include a green-glazed ewer with chicken-headed spout of the Eastern Jin period, four Sassanian silver coins discovered in a Southern Dynasties tomb, a bronze statue of Buddha and a bronze handle of the Tang period. The green-glazed ewer with chicken-headed spout is particularly outstanding as it bears close stylistic affinities with those yielded from the grave sites of the Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces of the Eastern Jin period. The four Sassanian silver coins were moulded with the bust of the King on the front and an alter flanked by priests on the reverse. The discovery of these coins testifies to the maritime trade between Guangdong and the Persian Gulf during this period. The bronze statue of Buddha of the Tang period is a recent discovery. The statue is modelled with a solemn face and straight for m of body. Since very few bronze Buddhist figures o f the Tang period have been unearthed in Guangdong, the specimen is exceptionally rare and significant. The bronze handle is in the shape of a female head with a round face framed with drooping and curly hair, slightly bulging cheeks, large eyes, high nose and thick lips. The ethnic origin of this figure is not yet identified ， though 'kunlun' or ‘Persian' has been suggested. A massive funerary jar, decorated with lively figures, animals and pavilions, is also featured. A layer of dark brown gl aze is applied. Since the shap e and decoration of the jar can be associated with the Buddhist tradition, the original purpose of the jar is thought to be used as a cremated bone ash container or a food container. Also on display are the rubbing of th e tomb tablet of Zhang Jiuling as well as a copy o f the mural painting ‘Female Attendants and Peaches' from his tomb, reflecting the development of calligraphy and figure painting in the Tang Dynasty. A 200-page fully-illustrated catalogue with feature articles on the archaeological finds from the Jin to the Tang periods in Guangdong was published. In addition, a lecture on 'Archaeological Finds from the Jin to the Tang Burials in Guangdong' by Mr. Yang Hao, archaeologist of the Guangdong Provincial Museum, was held on 10th December. NEWS 15