ANCIENT BRONZES 



91 



Southwest Pavilion 

 CHINESE AND SIBERIAN COLLECTIONS 



If we pass on into the hall at the extreme west end of the building, we 

 find collections from eastern and northern Asia. The arrangement is 

 Collections geographical. Specimens illustrating the culture, indus- 

 from Asia tries, religion and manufactures of China are on the 

 left; others showing the mode of living, the costumes, and the war im- 

 plements of Siberia are on the right. 



ANCIENT CHINESE BRONZES 



The furwork, costumes and rugs of the people of eastern Siberia reveal 

 remarkable skill in workmanship. Two models show respectively sum- 

 mer and winter scenes in Siberia. In the rear are collections from the 

 Ainu noted for decorated fabrics and picturesque costumes. Swinging 

 frames contain a large series of fabric designs. 



The collections on the left side of the hall deal mainly with the every- 

 day life of the modern Chinese and have a special value, as they were 

 made just before the sweeping 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. Bamboo, porcelain, 

 basketry, inlaid work, cloisonne enamel, agricultural implements, carv- 



