rillXA AM) SIHEIUA 



81 



SOUTHWEST PAVILION 



ClIINKSK AM) SllU:i{l AN ( 'oLLKC "l!().\; 



Collections 

 From Asia 



If we pass on into the liall at the cxti-cmc west end of the l)uil(lin<i;, \\<' 



find collcc'tions from eastern and noi-thcrn Asia. 'I'lic ar- 



i-ano(Mn(Mit is <;('o^Tai)lii('al. Head cai-cfully the label at the 



entrance to the hall. Specimens i 1 lust rat in<>; the culture, 



industri(>s. reliiiion and manufactures of diina are on the left; others 



sh()win«2; the mode of livino-, the costumes and the war implements of 



Siberia are on tlie ri<>;ht. I^amboo, 

 porcelain, basketry, inlaid work, cloi- 

 sonne enamel, agricultural implements, 

 carvings in wood, ivory and stone, and 

 (nnbroidery are shown to advantage. 

 The furwork, costumes and rugs of the 

 people of East Siberia reveal remark- 

 able skill in w^orkmanship. Two models 

 show respectively summer and ^^^nter 

 scenes in Siberia. A small model in 

 one of the cases to the left shows the 

 manner of making pottery. A series 

 of frames in the rear contain pieces 

 of various kinds of fabrics and patterns 

 illustrating weaving and woodwork 

 ornaments. 



The collections deal mainly with 

 the everyday life of the Modern 

 Chinese and have a special value as 

 they were made just V)efore the sweep- 

 ing changes of the last few years took 

 place. These abolished many of the 

 customs in which these objects were used; for example, the series of 

 weapons and objects showing the tests to which a soldier was submitted 

 on entering the army have been rendered obsolete by the introduction 

 of modern weapons and tactics. 



A special collection of great value is found in the ancient bronzes 

 shown in the adjoining tower room. 



ANCIENT CHINESE BRONZE 



