1923-02-06 — Page 5

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CHINESE POTTERY AND

* PORCELAIN,

ADVICE TO THE CURIO COLLECTOR.

INTERESTING LECTURE BY MR. H. W. KENT,

།

reign.

'

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRES6, TUESDAY

AMAZING ARMS SEIZURE, MACHINE GUNS ON THE

"PRESIDENT WILSON."

FEBRUARY 6TH, 1928.

HONGKONG STEAMER TURNS TURTLE.

RESULT OF CATTLE STAMPEDE.

TWENTY FIVE LIVES LOST.

1

from both an sarthetic and monetary point of view the value is practically Good Ming and Manchu articles as, of course, all pre-Ming wares, are so scarce

Yesterday a large seizure was made of in China nowadays that their value is too well-known, and the big dealers' agoats machine-guns, pistole revolvers and am

A thrilling story is told by the captain who are on the watch all over the muntry munition eclipsing in its magniture any snap them up soon as they appear of the gemarkable seizures, made during of the Chinese steamer Shun Shing, a vessel of about 300 tons, which turnod, A lecture of great interest to those who nepire to specimena of Chinese porce collectors of limited 'meats and small

for sale. I commend to the attention of the last few months.

"Revenue Officer Lannigan in the course turtle at sea off Sambuichau, near Macao Joia was delivered to a very large audi-ambition the wares made in Towkwong, of search on board the 5.s. President last Tuesday with the loss (according to ence 'at the Helena May Institute yestor

arrived in Port on the Agents) of some as lives. The Shan) day afternoon by Mr. H. W. Kent, who

They are plentiful, quite attract, which spoka for well over an hour on the abtive and display skilful oraftsmanship if Sunday," yesterday morning seized 20 Shing was built partly of wood, and

barrels containing arms and ammunition. Partly of steel, and was the property of} Twelve of the barrels bore the innocent the Po On Steamshif Company, which looking label fertiliser, and the other has its main offices at 28, Queen, Street, eight were labelled *shrimps."" All Hongkong. The vessel has been running twenty barrels were consigned to two between Hongkong and Kwang Chan Wan local firms. Later when they were opened for the past seven years. She loft at the Central Police Station the contents | Kwang Chan Wan, for Hongkong on Monday last with a general cargo, and were enumerated as follows:-

10 machine guns,

900 head of cattle, including 700 pigs. The animals were penned up in a timber 170 Mauser pistols (complete with corral. is what was thought to be a

IL

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE CURIO DEALEN. The lecturer went on to deal with the psychology of the Chinese curio dealer, He desired to give a few hints as to how to deal with this class of individual.

sorbing topic of Collecting Chinese lack of orginality, Pottery and Porcelain and other curios. For the instruction of his audience Mr. Kent had placed on, view in the Hall a collection of wares of the various dynas tics. A number of these he commented upon in the course of his lecture, indicat- ing their points of beauty, peculiarity of construction and explaining the pat- terns and colour schemes.

י

You have got to go to Shanghai sad Peking to meet, what I might describe in Far East phraseology, the "pukker" Curie dealer, but there are a few in the In his opening remarks Mr. Keat ex- South and one or two in Hongkong. Ha plained that he was a business man and is an aesthetic, an art lover and a gentle busy one too-aad, up to the present man, with, however, a keen eye to the he had not yet found any spare time for research work or independent study of main chance. Get to know and ges an this fascinating hobby. Later on, when to friendly terms with your dealer. his active work was finished be intended Never tell him bluntly that you think to explore some of the centres" where the pottery industry had thrived.

He remarked that to thoroughly under, stand and appreciate the art of China a knowledge of the history, religions, mythologs, philosophy and customs of the people yas necessary, but he tender ed some very useful advice to the curio caliector,

CL

genis

230 Smith and Wesson, revolvers,

munition.

No arrests have been made.

Huge

stocks), 52,000 rounds (approximately) of am-perfectly secure fashion, and all went well till nine o'clock the next morning. Then the vessel rap into heavy sons. waves washed-over her bows and decks, and she rolled and pitched in alarming manner.

GREAT DRUG SEIZURE.

THREE JAPANESE BEFORE THE MAGISTRATE.

There was also a remarkable seizure of

Revenue Officer

The steamer began to dist heavily, and the angle became so aquie that the captain ordered all hands on dock, "and had a large amount of the cargo jettison- ed. This corrected the list to a slight extent, but later the cattle started to starupede, and caused the ship to roll still more violently. In desperation the

of rafts. Disaster overtook the lowering

his vase is not what he represents it to be. Convey your doubt by more subtle": methods. Emphasize your own. ignor. ane, and you can always ask, without any risk of hurting the man's feelings, to be allowed to submi, the article to allicit drugs at the Kowloon Godowns on friend for bis opinion. "Veneration for the antique is ingrained in the Chinese." Saturday afternoon. A reputable dealer always has his Lannigan has also this weizure to his

hidden away from the rude gaze credit. "Collecting pottery and porcelain," of the ignorant and he wont produce the lecturer said is a hobby that re them until he knows that his prospective

The drug, which is said to be a stronger quires training, knowledge and skill, customer is a real lover of the game concoction than either cocaine or mor You must train the eye and the mind, Once gain his confidence and respect and phine, is at present in the hands of the especially the eye, to distinguish between impress him with your genuine anxiety to the genuine article and the fake learn about and view the real thing." Government Analyst and we are at pre- Never lose an opportunity to study, and, and he will spend hours swopping yarns sent unable to give its exact nomen-washing it against the vessel's side, if possible, handle a genuine piece. Visit with you and expatiating on his treasures clature. the great British, American and Peking irrespective of whether you intend to buy: Museums, when possible, for they contain or not. He squirms at the people who

In examining a üumber of cases of some of the finest pieces in existence of make fatuous remarks about curios:goods in the godowns the Revenue Officers all the different pericas. The chemists car "sweetness," prettiness," "quaintness"

came across two cases containing between name the period of manufacture by and so on. He watches to see if you "analysis" of the glaze; that means mutila handle it and show it homage in the 50 and 60 lbs. of the drug. Yesterday tion and one cannot recommend you to manner characteristic of the true lover.

the search was continued (as the result put your treasure to the test" by that

of information received) at a house at HOW TO HANDLE THE DEALER. ments."

Bargaining is the very life blood of the Yaumati, and the haul is said to have Chinese, perhaps the curio dealers in been increased to nearly double the above particular. You will learn from experi-amount. ence how to handle your dealers but havC

HUNTING FOR CURIOS,

The lecturer said: Collectors are divided into several groups, those who merely desire to posses a thing because it is old irrespective of it artistio value; those who want to own

an

Lord Kitchener "On when a friend of Kitchener's had offered him some hooks for his liberary he said "Give me old bindings, the books don't

* 6

Three

|

crew, throw a number of the animals inte the water, but the task was a hopeless one, and the captain ordered the men to abandon the vessel. They lowered twa lifeboats and knocked togther a couple of one of the boats, a large wave

rendering it completely useless, and throwing a number of the occupants into the sca. Many of them were drowned The other boat and the rafts got safely away, but there were still a number of men left on board. The captain is stated afterwards picked up, in company with to have jumped overboard, and was the chief engineer, by one of the boats. Almost immediately after this the steamer gave a lurch, and completely turned turtle, throwing all the unfortunate men oo board her into the sea where they! were all drowned,

were picked up by fishing junks, and landed at village along the coast and afterwards taken to Macao. The captais came down to Hongkong on Monday night and reported to the agents.

no hesitation is making a counter offer Three Japanese have been arrested in to the price you are first quoted. Take connection with the illicit importation time to bay; never rush it. Offer to pay and they were brought, before the Court. It was some hours before the men in the boat and on the Fatta were a piece because it is rare and, of enor a price well below what you think the yesterday and remanded.

picked up. It was bitterly cold, the san The arrested men were Let Hireyama, was still extremely rough, and at least mous monetary value; others because they curio is worth to you and come up by easy want a representative collection of the stages as he comes down from his giddy Y Fujita, and A. Watanabe. The three men died of exposure. At about particular war in question of some heights! Patience must be your watch charge was one of being in unlawful four o'clock in the afternoon the captain's special periods or countries; and those ward. I have been two years bargaining possession of a quantity of morphia so beat was picked up by a fishing junk, who buy a thing simply because in their for a piece! When a pukker dealer far estimated at between 0 and 60 lbs. and the occupants were taken to a village judgment it is beautiful and will bring knows you are a genuine customer he will Mr. AE Hall appeared on behalf of called Wuchushan, where they were them pleasure and the fact of its being never sell a piece over your head, for the last defendant, and Mr. G. handed over to the police who gave them! either old or modern is of no importance. one reason because he enjoys the bar-Bennett, for the second. The first was the relief they required, and then sent The two firstnamed have no soul for the gaining game and also because he has a not represented. In the case of Watanabe them on to Macao. Exactly what became game and it is difficult to feel any in- keen senge of fair play and is not a pro- bail was fixed at 320,000; Hireyama's at of the rafte is not known, excepting that terest in them or their possessions. Lord teer. If possible get permission to take $10,000, and Fujita's at 8250. Esher tells the following story of Lord the picor, you open negotiations, for, sureties of 85,000 each and cash to the they were sighted, and the men on board Kitchener in his book The Tragedy of home before definitely making up your amount of 35,000 were required in the

Occasion pind. Frequently you will find that it case of Watanabe,

doesn't appeal to you in the same way

Fujita is stated to be a boarding house in your own home as it did in the deal runner, and is alleged to have taken de er's shop. Also always remember that livery of the drug at Kowloon Godowns, both Chinese and Japanese curios (espe matter."

rially the latter) are often irresistible That after all is a human tendency in their own environment but look..tawdry (shall I say mania) apt to grow upon and unattractive in our Homeside atinos all collectors of antiques. The incidents phere. That applies to decorated porce connected with the finding and the pur-fains, paintings, metal works, stone carv- chasing of the Curio I own, and the ings, embroideries, furniture, etc. Personalities of the men from whom I see that great discretion must be shown bought them rrean to me nearly as much when buying and I strongly recommend .as the articles themselves. Each article that numerous class of curio hunters' who

A report was published in our morn- ..I possess has a history surrounding its desire merely to possess one or two attracing contemporary, yesterday, to the acquisition. This one (pointing to his col- tive specimens of Chinese art to first vis effect that an attempt was made to pirate lection) was bought in Hongkong; that ualize the "urroundings the articles will the ss. On Lee on her last trip from one in Shanghai: that one in Peking; probably have to live in at home. In the Hongkong to Kongmoon. The report those.lu Japan. This one I got as a bar. care of collectors who are bent on ao- went on to state that in an unsuccessful gain but that one I paid for through the quiring a fairly representative collection attempt to board the ship two of the DISCOURAGING nase. I will take it that you all belong of Chinese art curies the foregoing repirates were shot dead. to the two last named groups, and, that marks hardly apply because presumably

'T

ALLEGED ATTEMPTED

PIRACY.

You WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO THE

"ON LEE."

+.

The Shun Shing was carrying a crew of about 45 all Chinese, and an addi tional eight or ten men to look after the cattle. Of this number caly, thirty } survive and the rest, numbering about twenty-five, were all drowned.

The Shun Shing had quite an eventful career. She was built for the Spanish Government as a gunboat, and fought in the Spanish American War, she was made a prize by the Americans who afterwards sold her to the Po On Co

·

SMUGGLING.

The On Lee has returned to Port and There are Chinese in America who you want to acquire pieces within the they have the intention of furnishing a yesterday a Daily Press representative appear to think that the police control in purely Chinese room in that wonderful was able to glean what actually. bap Hongkong iron a par with that in their scope of your meure, which will afford you dream home we all have in prospect after pezed. No attempt at all was made by native village. Pleading guilty to being .and your friends pleasure, and, that yeu

wish to try and learn how to avoid, the our work is done out here.

pirates to board the vessel and there was in possession of a revolver and a hun-

risk, as far as possible, of having a for- Don't buy a cracked or damaged piece no encounter between the ship's crew and dred rounds of ammunition, a Chinese gery palmed off upon you as a genuine you want for. decorative purposes how the pirates. It is, however, fairly cer at the Magistracy yesterday stated that antique which is a very grave risk even ever great the temptation. The classic tain that there were pirates in the he had been in America for forty years, to veteran collectors. But to quote Mr. pieces, however, must be viewed from a vicinity. The On Lee had arrived at and when he came to Hongkong be Hcbe the existence of fakes adds totally different angle to the Ming and noon at a section of the river which is brought the weapon with him for his own to the zest and excitement of collecting Matchu wares Dealers are plausible, known as the Flats, about one-and-a-half protection, as he did not know what sort and it would, be a poor spirit which persuasive creatures and in reply to your hours steaming from Kongmoon. The of a condition the Colony was in, and was entirely discouraged by the know protestations that a vase is damaged or tide was not high enough to carry her what his position would be when he got

has a maabin" (a blemish) he will say over the Flats and she dropped anchor. here. ledge of danger," But more on the with an ingratiating smile and soft voice. This particular district is infested with The Magistrate (Mr. R. E. Lindsel}).. dangers that beset one's path anon! A littee, maskee, no being spoilum," pirates and a large number were reen remarked that smuggling had to be dise There are countless treasures still to be and you will more likely than not feel a to collect along the water front in close couraged whether the smugglers were unearthed by the excavators and thero brute and a fool for drawing attention proximity to the vessel. These men were bona fide passengers on ships or not. are a great many valuable pieces in the to the blemish. In the big curio dealers heavily armed and were equipped with Defendant would be fined $250, with the possession of well-to-do Chinese families. shops in both China and Jepan, I have small bonte known to local seafarers as option of: three months' imprisonment. These occasionally become impoverished sean unwary tourists, buying damaged dug-outs. and bave to dispose of their valuables. goode at top prices only to discover their The On. Les carried a large number of In such but event they will often prefer mistake when they want to show it off or to sell to a foreigner; raider than to one of their own countrymen, at an enhanced price, in order to avoid publicity and consequent loss of face. The Japanese and there are several ilways on the lock out in Peking and Shanghai, usually have an advantage over other foreigners owing to their bowlegs of the language and their better understanding of the

-Chinese mentality..

HOT TO BE JOT-YON A MERE SONG,

wish to resell it.

Chinese passengers and several of theo were believed to have large “suma", of The lecturer then went on to describo money in their possession. The passengers, what he termed to be "a few medioers despite the aesurances of the Captain, specimens of Chinese art curios.”

became pannicky, and commenced, thro ing quantity of their heavy personal luggage overboard with the idea of

IMITATIONS.

In conclusion, he said: I will give you lightening the vessel. This was only

3

278 2 A "PROSECUTED BY HIS

PARENTS.

SON WHO DISOWNED HIS FATHER.

"He is savage to the extreme, be wind up with, Factories in Imani are action threatening dire punishment en is my oldest son he is bad and wicked. a few more tips regarding imitations to stopped when the Captain took stern pesters me for money; and though he at present producing Han, Lang and any who threw articles overboard Opce he threatened to murder me if I Bung pottery. The most dangerous re As a precautionary measure, all the did not give him money; also he has dis÷' production of the fimg- and Manchu Genuine pieces are not to be picked up wares are the Japanese. They have made grils were closed and the six guards claimed me as his father, and I have no

were ordered to their stations. Arms and use for him at all. nowadays at bargain prices por outside a speciality of Ming forgeries. Kioto is ammunition were serve out to the Such was the description given by # the premises of reputable dealer or pri full of this spurious ware which is clover or It was niso desmed atrisible to Chinese father of his son at the Magis vate collector. Biols articles am some enough to take in many experienced haul up the anchor and to keep the tracy yesterday. The father was charg times found in pawn shops or in the amateurs. The Japanese import the clay

vessel on the move, The vessel continued ing the boy with the theft of $5.5 from hands of toute. You cannot go into Cat from China for the work. Marks are to steam up and down the reach until a cupboard in his shop,--a barber's estab Street and expect to pick up a valuable reliable guide to genuinenesither on the waved rose high mough to enable her linkment af 151, Queen's Rood East, on antique for a more song. You can find pottery or porcelain your best and only to proceed on her voyage d'here wapo Baturday morning. thore colourable imitations, perhaps safeguard is experience and a well train further incident of an alarming, nature, The defendant's mother went into the Colour is lent to the suspicious action witness box, and endorsed in every good Tomkwing piece here and there and edged by minded,

offre pirates on the shoresby a report detail her husband's description of their made to the Captain before the On Led son. Inspector Blackman described the left Hongkong that she was to be pirated youth as a "bad hat" Bentence of three

on the outward journey.

month imprisonment was passed..

very inferior Kanghe and Chienlung Mr Kantwas vordially applauded for wares. There was, of pune, lot of his interesting lecture and a hearty vote rubbish manufactured in all the dynasties of thanks was accorded him on the and some has arrived to this day, but motion of the Hon. Mr. J. H. Kemp.

LANE, CRAWFORD, LTD.

PROVISION DEPT.

English York Cut Hams, "Pineapple Bacon American Cheese. MacLarens Imperial Cheese Gruyere Cream Cheese Tongues "Libbys" Sausage

Oliver Drings Cambridge Sausage

Cambridge

C & B Oxford Sausages

Walls Pork

GROCERY DEPT.

per lb. 1.30 1:30 0.90

per jar 1.00 and 1:50.

per tin 1.30

..$3.50, $5.00 and 6.00

per tin 0.85

ti

1.00

1.15

0.75

1,20

Noels Jams, Strawberry, Blackcurrant, Raspberry.

Greengage and Red Currant (Glass jars). Del Monte Asparagus

Brussel Sprouts Parsnips

English Marrowfat Peas Ceylon Tea

Hankow Tea

Breakfast Blend Tea

་་་

0.70

per tin 0.90

0.50

0.50

31

0,65

per lb. 1.00

1,00

1.00

0,85

Coffee, Finest Blend (Roasted and Ground daily)

PHONE 1741.

LANE, CRAWFORD, LIMITED.

EST. 1850.

SHIPCHANDLER Y

COMPLETE SHIPS" OUTFITS.

DEPT

DECK AND ENGINE, ROOM STORES.

COILS FAINTS AND VARNISH IMPORTERS.

ENGINEERS' TOOLS, INDICATORS, COUNTERS, 20, PACKING AND ASBESTOS GOODS. AGENTS FOR DOBBIE MOINNES' NAUTICAL SPECIALTIES

NOTICE OF REMOVAL.

THE ANDERSON MUSIC CO., LTD.

HAVE NOW REMOVED

FROM

5. BEACONSFIELD ARCADE.

QUEEN'S BUILDING, ICE HOUSE STREET

Tei 1833

(OPPOSITE CAFÉ WISEMAN)

Powell

TELEPHONE SO. 3146.

NOW ON

SALE NOW

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AND

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WOOLLEN CHEVIOT $2.50 & $2.75 TWEEDS FROM 1.25 DOUBLE WIDTH

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