Tradtitonal Chinese Art Treasure - Xuan Paper

Xuan paper is a kind of paper originating in ancient China used for writing and painting. Xuan paper is renowned for being soft and fine textured, suitable for conveying the artistic expression of both Chinese calligraphy and painting.

Xuan paper is produced in Jing County of East China's. Anhui Province. The county was under the jurisdiction of Xuanzhou Prefecture in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Jing County paper was first shipped to Xuanzhou. and then transshipped to other ports. hence the name of Xuan paper.

Due to different producing methods, Xuan paper can be classified into Shengxuan, Shuxuan, and Banshuxuan. Shengxuan (literally "Raw Xuan"), which is not specially processed, excels in its ability to absorb water, causing the ink on it to blur. Shuxuan (literally "Ripe Xuan"), however, is smeared on by Potassium alum during its production, which results in its texture being harder and its ability to absorb water weaker. This feature makes Shuxuan more suitable for Xieyi rather than Gongbi, and more easily torn at the same time. Banshuxuan (literally "Half-ripe Xuan") has intermediate absorbability, between Shengxuan and Shuxuan.

The paper is soft and fine in texture. suitable for both Chinese calligraphy and painting. Xuan paper has the reputation of being able to last for a thousand years as it can be kept for a long time.

There are numerous kinds of Xuan paper. such as dan. jia. luowen. coral. tiger-skin. and jade-plate. The quality depends on whether the paper is unprocessed. processed. or half-processed.

Unprocessed paper absorbs water easily. Ink filters through this paper easily, too. People must put their brush on this paper to make sure the thickness or thinness of their liquid ink is suitable.

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Processed paper goes through a process whereby gelatin made from bones and alum (a kind of sulfate) is added. This kind of paper does not absorb water easily and is stiff or hard to the touch.

Half-processed paper has a neutral character. in that it absorbs water. but it does not filter through easily.

* Original address of this China gift post: China Gift and Fine Arts & Crafts in China

YuanMingYuan Cultural Relics --- Bronze Statues of Zodiac Animal Heads Appreciation III

Lately Concered News: A Chinese collector who 'bought' two bronze animal heads originally seized from Beijing's Summer Palace has refused to pay Christie's and admitted sabotaging the sale.

The sale of the heads, from the collection of the late fashion designer Yves St Laurent, aroused great anger in China, which demanded their return.

Despite calls from the Chinese government for the auction to be stopped, the two heads sold in Paris for 15.7 million euros (￡13.9 million) each, to a telephone buyer who at the time remained anonymous.

Now a Chinese collector, Cai Mingchao, has said that he was the successful bidder for both animal heads but would now refuse to pay for them. He said his bid had been a "patriotic act".

Chinese Art Treasure --- Bronze Statue of Monkey Head

Name: Bronze Statue of Mobkey Head

Category: Bronze Ware

Birth Age: Years of the Qianlong Reign in Qing Dynasty

Original Ascription: One of Bronze Statues of Zodiac Animal Heads in front of Haiyan Hall of the Western Building at the Former Yuanmingyuan

Current Status: Be robbed in the Burning Accident of The Imperial Palace in 1860 and stored in France later, Now it is collected at Beijing Baoli Museum.

Chinese Art Treasure --- Bronze Statue of Cock Head

Name: Bronze Statue of Cock Head

Category: Bronze Ware

Birth Age: Years of the Qianlong Reign in Qing Dynasty

Original Ascription: One Bronze Statues of 12 Zodiac animal heads in front of Haiyan Hall of the Western Building at the Former Yuanmingyuan

Current Status: Be robbed in the Burning Accident of The Imperial Palace in 1860 and then flowed to abroad and has been missing ever since.

Chinese Art Treasure --- Bronze Statue of Dog Head

Name: Bronze Statue of Dog Head

Category: Bronze Ware

Birth Age: Years of the Qianlong Reign in Qing Dynasty

Original Ascription: One Bronze Statues of 12 Zodiac animal heads in front of Haiyan Hall of the Western Building at the Former Yuanmingyuan

Current Status: Be robbed in the Burning Accident of The Imperial Palace in 1860 and then flowed to abroad and has been missing ever since.

Chinese Art Treasure --- Bronze Statue of Boar Head

Name: Bronze Statue of Boar Head

Category: Bronze Ware

Birth Age: Years of the Qianlong Reign in Qing Dynasty

Original Ascription: One of Bronze Statues of Zodiac Animal Heads in front of Haiyan Hall of the Western Building at the Former Yuanmingyuan

Current Status: Be robbed in the Burning Accident of The Imperial Palace in 1860 and stored in France later, Now it is collected at Beijing Baoli Museum.

* Successive events of French Christie's auction for Yuanmingyuan cultural relics of two bronze animal heads:

Two controversial ancient Chinese relics were auctioned off on Wednesday night for 14 million euros (17.92 million U.S. dollars) each by anonymous telephone bidders in Christie's sale of the collection of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge in the Grand Palace of Paris.

According to Christie's, they have received 8 phone calls for "enquiries" before the sale. After the auction was launched, the competition was only conducted between telephone bidders, with no one in the scene raised for a bid. Christie's refused to disclose who were the bidders at a press conference afterward.

The bronze sculptures, a rat's head and a rabbit's head, were looted by invading Anglo-French expedition army in the 19th century, when the invaders burned down the royal garden of Yuanmingyuan in Beijing.

Li Huan, a Chinese student in France told Xinhua that the two bronzes are news for the French, but history for the Chinese. Earlier this night, some Chinese students in France voluntarily went to the Grand Palace, distributing sheets introducing the history of Yuanmingyuan and the Second Opium War in 1860.

* Original address of this China gift post: China Gift and Fine Arts & Crafts in China

YuanMingYuan Cultural Relics --- Bronze Statues of Zodiac Animal Heads Appreciation II

Chinese Art Treasure --- Bronze Statue of Dragon Head

Name: Bronze Statue of Dragon Head

Category: Bronze Ware

Birth Age: Years of the Qianlong Reign in Qing Dynasty

Original Ascription: One of Bronze Statues of Zodiac Animal Heads in front of Haiyan Hall of the Western Building at the Former Yuanmingyuan

Current Status: Be robbed in the Burning Accident of The Imperial Palace in 1860 and then flowed to abroad and has been missing ever since.

Brief: Bronze dragon head is one of the 12 big zodiac animal water fountains in former Yuanmingyuan, and was been robbed by Eight-Power Allied Forces and flowed to abroad ever since.

Chinese Art Treasure --- Bronze Statue of Snake Head

Name: Bronze Statue of Snake Head

Category: Bronze Ware

Birth Age: Years of the Qianlong Reign in Qing Dynasty

Original Ascription: One Bronze Statues of 12 Zodiac animal heads in front of Haiyan Hall of the Western Building at the Former Yuanmingyuan

Current Status: Be robbed in the Burning Accident of The Imperial Palace in 1860 and then flowed to abroad and has been missing ever since.

Brief: Bronze snake head is one of the 12 big zodiac animal water fountains in former Yuanmingyuan, and was been robbed by Eight-Power Allied Forces and flowed to abroad ever since.

Chinese Art Treasure --- Bronze Statue of Horse Head

Name: Bronze Statue of Horse Head

Category: Bronze Ware

Birth Age: Years of the Qianlong Reign in Qing Dynasty

Original Ascription: Bronze Statues in front of Haiyan Hall of the Western Building at the Former Yuanmingyuan

Current Status: Be robbed in the Burning Accident of The Imperial Palace in 1860 and stored in France later. In 2007 it was bought by Mr. He Hongshen and be contributed to the government of China, now it is collected at Beijing Baoli Museum.

Chinese Art Treasure --- Bronze Statue of Sheep Head

Name: Bronze Statue of Sheep Head

Category: Bronze Ware

Birth Age: Years of the Qianlong Reign in Qing Dynasty

Original Ascription: Bronze Statues in front of Haiyan Hall of the Western Building at the Former Yuanmingyuan

Current Status: Be robbed in the Burning Accident of The Imperial Palace in 1860 and then flowed to abroad and has been missing ever since.

* Following events of French Christie's auction for Yuanmingyuan cultural relics of two bronze animal heads:

Mr. Luo Zhewen, the Honorary Chairman of Chinese Society for the Protection of Cultural Relics said: The person who buy these two animal heads is a big head in the pool

Honorary President of the Chinese Society for the Protection of Cultural Relics, leader of ancient architecture team of State Bureau of Cultural Relics Mr. Luo Zhewen estimated that no one will buy, it is a self-hype, Christie's despicable action, it not only has in violation of relevant international conventions, but also take the crime evidence to do transactions, and making huge profits with evil.

Original words of Mr. Luo are: "the 12 zodiac animal heads are only one part of numerous components of the large-scale building of Yuanmingyuan, they are no more than general decorative accessories, whose artistic value and economic value are not high, they are just sprinkler heads of big water fountains".

"They are evidences of the past crimes, who bought who cheated, and who is the big head in the pool, because Yuanmingyuan animal heads can hardly belong to national treasures, it is just ordinary building accessories, and whose true value is no more than a few hundred thousand dollars".

=== Brief Introduction of Luo Zhewen ===

Former student of famous ancient architect of Liang Sicheng and Liu Dunzhen, and had started to study Yuanmingyuan ruins as early as before more than half a century, he has engaged in the study of Chinese ancient landscape architecture for nearly 70 years, now he is already 86 years old, and has got very high respect and reputation in the industry of Chinese cultural relics.

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* Original address of this China gift post: China Gift and Fine Arts & Crafts in China

YuanMingYuan Cultural Relics --- Bronze Statues of Zodiac Animal Heads Appreciation I

The Grande Instance in Paris, France made a verdict at the court on the 23rd evening, and rejected the suit offered by European Federation of Guarding Chinese Art that require the French Christie's to stop the auction of the Chinese lost relics of Yuanmingyuan of copper rat head and rabbit head statues.

This news is undoubtedly is a heavy blow for all Chinese people, but nevertheless, the determination and will of Chinese people to retrieve all relics stolen from our country will never be moved.

Chinese Art Treasure --- Bronze Statue of Rat Head

Name: Bronze Statue of Rat Head

Category: Bronze Ware

Birth Age: Years of the Qianlong Reign in Qing Dynasty

Original Ascription: Bronze Statues in front of Haiyan Hall of Xiyang Floor of the Former Yuanmingyuan

Current Status: Be robbed in the famous accident of Burning of The Imperial Palace which was taken place in 1860 and then flowed to abroad, now is to be on auction by the French Christie's.

Chinese Art Treasure --- Bronze Statue of Ox Head

Name: Bronze Statue of Ox Head

Category: BronzeWare

Birth Age: Years of the Qianlong Reign in Qing Dynasty

Height: 44cm

Original Ascription: Copper Statues in front of Haiyan Hall of Xiyang Floor of the Former Yuanmingyuan

Current Status: Be robbed in the Burning of The Imperial Palace accident in 1860 and then flowed to abroad, later was be purchase back by China Baoli Group Corporation, now it is collected in Beijing Baoli Art Museum.

Chinese Art Treasure --- Bronze Statue of Tiger Head

Name: Bronze Statue of Tiger Head

Category: Bronze Ware

Birth Age: Years of the Qianlong Reign in Qing Dynasty(1736-1795)

Height: 32cm

Original Ascription: Bronze Statues in front of Haiyan Hall of Xiyang Floor of the Former Yuanmingyuan

Current Status: Be robbed in the Burning of The Imperial Palace accident in 1860 and then flowed to abroad, later was be purchase back by China Baoli Group Corporation, now it is collected in Beijing Baoli Art Museum.

Chinese Art Treasure --- Bronze Statue of Tiger Head

Name: Bronze Statue of Hare Head

Category: Bronze Ware

Birth Age: Years of the Qianlong Reign in Qing Dynasty(1736-1795)

Original Ascription: Bronze Statues in front of Haiyan Hall of Xiyang Floor of the Former Yuanmingyuan

Current Status: Be robbed in the Burning of The Imperial Palace accident in 1860 and then flowed to abroad, later was be purchase back by China Baoli Group Corporation, now it is collected in Beijing Baoli Art Museum.

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* Original address of this China gift post: China Gift and Fine Arts & Crafts in China