AN EXAMINATION OF CHINESE BRONZES, 
KU TUNG CH’I K’AO. 
By Joun C. FERGuson. 
[With 14 plates.] 
PRELIMINARY NOTE. 
It is important that, in all branches of Chinese art, the rest of the 
world should understand the Chinese pomt of view. Without a 
careful survey of the historical development of the country it is 
impossible to enter into the intricacies of their art interpretation, 
but general principles can be learned by persons unfamiliar with the 
language of China if these are translated into our own language. 
There is a greater lack of accurate information concerning bronzes 
than in any other field of Chinese art, and this is not for the reason 
that Chinese literature is not rich im books on this subject. The 
purpose of this article is to bring to the attention of the western 
world a succinct authoritative statement of the principles recognized 
by Chinese connoisseurs in the examination of Chinese bronzes. The 
original text is written in short nervous sentences which I have 
frequently jomed together to make the meaning clearer. The article 
demands careful study for a clear comprehension of its meaning. 
AUTHORSHIP AND TEXT. 
The following account was written in 1767 by Liang T’ung-shu, 
the son of Liang Shih-chéng, a noted official of the reign of Chien 
Lung, who was an eminent authority in archeological research, 
especially m connection with the places around the West Lake 
Hangchow. The son was employed in the palace as an expert. 
This account was in manuscript and was only published in 1913 by 
the Shen Cho Kuo Kuan She, Shanghai, in its encyclopedia of fine 
arts—Mei Shu Ts’ung Shu. So little has been written on this subject 
that the following translation may be of some value to the increasing 
number of students of this interesting branch of ancient art. 
TRANSLATION OF TEXT. 
INTRODUCTION. 
What are now called antiques are the gold and silver inlaid bronzes 
of the Shang dynasty‘ and the ting, tsun andi of King Wén, which 
were also of ancient workmanship, and therefore correctly classified 
1 Harly Chinese dynasties: Hsia, B. C. 2205-1766; Shang, 1766-1122; Chow, 1122-255 (the preceding three 
dynasties known as the San Tai); Ts’in, 255-206; Han, B. C. 206 to A. D. 221. 
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