1927-06-10 — Page 8

8

20TH CENTURY PANDORAS.

Boxen have held a special attrae tion for women since the days of Pandora, probally before.

There are very few women why can resist opening a box, especially one which bes temptingly on a shop counter, even if they have no intention of buying it. Possibly psychoanalysis may have an explanation of the Pandora complex, certainly most of the box openere lave not, "just wanted to see what it was like in- side" is all the excuse they can

sex

that

♫

SCREENS.

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS. FRIDAY, JUNE 10th, 1927.

Modern shops are shewing a ten- dency to return to the atmosphere. of the "Arabian Night's” dazaar, Neatly arranged piles nuil racks off. goods are hevne replaced by modied disarray.

The iden underlying this tendency is take the purchaser feel at ease, almost at home, so that he or she buys a actual fact things of which they have vaguely pictured the possession when seated by their own fire side. The fortitude which can withstand the too expensive luxury when seated on an unrom-

į

The

WOMAN'S PAGE

CHINESE SCULP TURE.

The little known subject of Chi- nese Sculpture is of very great interest, and I would recommend to

anyone who wishes to know some- thing of this branch of Chinese art the excellent book on the subject br Oswald Siron.

The Chinese have produced no sculpture which is comparable to the pediments and friezes of the Acropolis: the development of their art has been along quite other lines: but, they have, produced pieces which are comparable to a Tanagra figure to the bronzes of Popaši, or to the sculpture of Egypt.

Several factors have contributed to this primarily the differener in religious outlook The Greeks, who were in the main nature worship- pers, animated by their desire to improve the physique of their race, and by their love of beauty, de igorated their temples and their homes with sculptures of their

Buster. But if this is the explanafortable chair in front of a emunter, tion why does the curiosity not

evaporates in the atmosphere of extend to a vase or even to a dress? the modern shop, whose owner One would think that it was far realises, as did the Puritans, that more important to

ense and comfort of body lead to a frock, which you intend to buy, is lackening of the moral fibre! nicely finished off inside, than to satisfy a vague curiosity about the almost certainly not existant con tents of a box which you

don't even like particularly,

|

The Sign of the Lantern " typical of this tendency, it is in-divinities, whom they represented as being the idea of lan physical perfection. There can be To greater contrast than that of the Praxidilean Hermes and the typical Buddist seated Chinese Buddha, with his open robe showing the rolls of flesh all over his body, the lobes of his care lengthened and distorted, and his bland face with sleepy eyes and saalf mysterious smile, represents an absolutely different iden, The Buddha is no glorions youth bat an old man, with a gross body, and yet a curione divinity of his own.

deed almost a room. A little over crowded for a real room, yet -with- 001 the formality either of a an old fashioned shop. ** | museumi or

Furniture, ornaments, cushions and draperies make a colorful, luxuri ous, and above all a friendly in terior in an apparent disarray Yet you realise the subtlety of the arrangement as you wander round drawn always by some new love. liness or charming friße.

A small two materint dress which would be equally pretty in silk or

voile.

man

1341

Que of the first objects noticed on entering The Sign of the Lan tern" is & very beautiful black- wood screen. It stands about seven feet high and has four folds, with Cornamentation except inset plaques of blue and white porce- lain, the top row being in the shape of fans, the others circular. The excellence of such a screen as a background is admirably demon- strated by the position it holds right at the back of the shop The sereen gains in dignity from the gorgeous rolours of the cushions and mandarin robes which lie on the couch placed before f, und, at the same time gives to them a added richnesy,

Native tailors are very skilful but they need careful watching, ami with the present slim silhouette une

to remain irritated or even virtuous-1 ON BEING FITTED. ly indignant in its presenge. The face is very strongly and finely modelled and the way in which the long lobes of the cars a sign of wisdom) fall into line with the hend dress reminds one forribly of the head of the Egypting Thomes 1V. There are two small hends of baked si guard against anything that carthenware of the same period spoils the line of a dress. It is the which are interesting, and a pair tendency of all amateurs and of statuetttes of earthenware with a thick porcelain glaze representing Sien Leo the godess of the clouds which are wonderfully expressive, She holds a vase in her arms and is supposed to be floating among the clouds collecting rain. HIT long slit eyes and the absobite repose of both face and figure, with the simple and get vague las of drapery are wonderfully expressive of the apparently aimless drifting of big masses of clouds,

A small sonpstone group of a goodness seated on a lion with a small boy attendant is more delicate and derisive in carving, the figure of the child being full of life and energy,

Me. Komor showed me pieces in pink, white and various green jades, of which a group of two gold fishes in pink jade was really exquisite in its movement and life and others, notably a Buddha holding a flower in white matrix jade had just the same tranquillity as the Tang bronzes.

Heather

small dressmakers or tailors to make a dress on the loose side but that is more easily remedied than than undue skimpiness. Thatcher, the charming musical comedy actress, enntributed a short → Hom! while ago an article to paper which contains some valuable hints on the choice of pattern and the fit of a dress. She deals first it is a neck bow or a sash it must. she says, be flat with long narrow ends, as any suggestion of "bulkness destroys line and long etis are graceful,

with the favourite bow. Whether

A useful hint which many women. would never think of, is to it down when being fitted to see how the length and width of the skirt stand the test. T often happens ton that pleats which look very chic when standing hang badly when one sits. Special attention should be given also to the week line. If it comes too low or has too wide a vest its effect is to Other animal subjects which in. shorten the corsage and broaden terested me particularly were an the figure. Yet another pint to elephant in dark agate with a long natice is the fit round the hips, which should be song with no Hugge trunk carrying a Hall live, f flowers on his back. The curious reation of tightness unless you are the really slim. Nothing looks worse point about this piece is majesty and strength expressed in than a skirt which has been stretch- the animal despite his trivial burdened in sitting and tends to fall away Those who are A magnificent eagle is carved in below the hips.

hon point should dark crystal, and a partridge carved inclined to en in amethyst crouches close to the bear in mind too that any distine- tive line such as a different colour- ground and a protecting rock so That at first sight une dors not dised belt or a horizontal stripe on tinguish what the group represents: the material should be avoided nt but soft feathers, a beating heart, the low waist line, as the effect is As a general and timid cunning are conveyed with very brusdening. a consummate art. What was pas rule stripes down or a diagonal cut sibly the most fascinating of all the are best for fuil figures.. treasures I saw was an ivory hand rest for a scribe. The under surface is deeply carved with a connected series of harvesting scenes; at the top a typical Chinese hut with pigs poking about round the door, below

BY THE WAY.

ARTIFICIAL

pyjamas and undies in artificin!

two shades apricot and mauve and would be very cool and comfortable for wear just now. The name is

Sevus underwear.

N

AN EASY-TO-CLEAN BEDSTEAD. The Simmons bedstead stocked by Whitenway, Laidlaw's has been spe-

SILK UNDIES.-At and joined to it by delicately carved | Powell's are some very nicely out trees and grasses is a serne on the threshing flour: below again, tricot silk. The pyjamas are in tiny figures bind the corn, stack it and reap it. One could examine auch a curving by the hour and not ex- haust its fascination. The minute figures, their expressive faces and Buses, the faithful rendering of the smallest detail of dass or leaf are things to marvel at. Indeed be wilderment is the feeling given by rially designed, to meet the grow a hasty survey of the many branchesing demand for hygienically clean

furniture. There is no angle any of Chinese sculpture, why have the artists been so curiously cramped where in which dust can collect, and when they evidence such amazing the patent white surface can skill and vitality Are our western kept perfectly clean with a dump art eanons wring and those of the cloth. Simmons beds are built on a generous scale 3 ft. 3 by a ft. 6. Chinese right! Such questions as

and the wire matress combines these are bound to arise in ones

fort. Two charming little French dresses mind, and to awaken a desire to strength with the maximum of com

know more of Chinese art. The for the small daughters,

A red wood sereen, which though! smaller has an equal dignity, is set with two porcelain plaques of the Cheng Ling period on each of its four folds. These plaques, in very lovely earth red tones, have figure sernes on the of which the draw- ang is really exquisite, especially the faces. Anather lovely screen is in Coromandel Lacquer: a big gar den scene peopled in well drawn figures and trained in duil gold raus right across the whole surface of is bordered by the screen, and delightful sprays of Bowers. ground work of the screen is black- but with the decoration the general tone is of cool cucumber greens and dull gold.

Under the name of Sculpture the Chinese group bronze and iron Besides these larger sereens, are work, earthenware figures, and a lelightful collection of of smaller carving in wood, ivory and semi-

some to he used

The astonishing precious stone single perceus

sply as ornaments and others as thing about it is that with but few Gie screens, Of the latter there is exceptions there is the same idea one with a porcelain plaque set in underlying the work produced by

simple blackwood frame, which s an example of that characteristic artists in each of these materiale- the idea of tranquility. A. com- It was Mr. Atkins, a kindly little at Chinese art, the sense of tran

between the rough and of Rumplestiltskin appear quillity, which makes it be plen-Prints of Rodin's "Penseur

lake 4. silverware sant to live with. It is

and a jade statuette of any of the ance, the master of a shop in a small town huddled under one, with in the foreground various Chinese divinities clearly ow slip of an island, on the left illustrates this. The white jade the walls of a Norman castle, who of which is a weeping willow tree which.

peculiarly hard, has been pointed out this feminine weakness and on the right a group of emaller polished and smoothed until it With a smile he reached trees. The water and the sky are looks as suit and pliable as lard, for a cloth and polished my finger almost white, the trees a dull cool and the teaching of the divinity marks off a silver box. "All ladies rern, and a

to que

small landscape is dolce far niente. most delicately etched on the far de it, he said in response to my

There are specimens of Chinese apology. They can't seem to side of the water,

sculpture in all materials and of These are but a few of the screens many different periods among the keep their fingers off a box,"

Of all hoxes perhaps the Chinese the found at "The Sign of the collection of Komor & Komor, and nest variety is the most irreaistautern," and in addition Miss it is astonishing how even the Iloness will make SCTCCB9 with able, and it was only the memory of old Mr. Atkins which prevented panels of embroidery or silke either slightest study of these pieces gives me opening everyone of the nest plain or glass covered, in frames

of ten pigskin covered boxes I saw to-day in the Swatow Lace Com- pany All Bur, each one more small, I was

and sizes to, suit any customer.

the sculptor. At first sight, to n appreciation of the outlook of lover of the clean lines of Greek sculpture, they seem vague and overamooth, with an irritating old. and reason with various scenes of Chinese gar But it is just that atmosphere of similarity and lack of precision. agreed though the Pandora co-dens peopled by coy looking ladies, plex whispered that there might be and varnished to preserve the paint tranquillity for which their makers something most exciting in the ing and make them watertight. have striven which serves to deaden smallest inmost box. It was & Each box has a different picture on criticism and to awaken apprecia particularly fascinating next, the it which is an excellent excuse for tion. outside box being a little deep but examining them all.

There are two large bronze heads Not less interesting were the upstairs dating from the Tang case, and emitting a faint pleasing smaller boxes of Foochow lacquer, Dynasty which would hold their scent. These boxes are strongly some of these being also in nests, place among the sculpture of any huilt of "teawood." I was told. particularly liked the silvergold country or period. The expression What is tea wood, I wonder? They lacquer boxen decorted with Chi- on the face of the right hand one are covered with pigskin painted nese village scenes, very delicately distrms criticism immediately, and

drawn and coloured.

you feel that it would be impossible (Continued on next Column).

much the same size A

a blouse

milanese silk underwear in many

be

PRETTY AND INEXPENSIVE FANS.- The Swatow Lace Company have a MILANESE UNDIES. Coylex large assortment of funs. Many of them are really exquisitly designel, colours is to be found at the Pioneer indeed a paper fan with pierced bone sticks, which I got there for Silk Store at prices ranging from

4 a piece. The garments are well few cents, has painted on i a design as perfect as that on many east and trimmed with lace, and are

a museum piece. The silk em rooler and less bulky than eripe de

broidered fans are mounted on chine.

sandel Foor POWDER.--Sincere's are put-ivory, bone, lacquer, or ting on the market an excellentwood, one of the latter has a dragon powder for the cure of Hong Kong and a peacock embroidered on it foot and other foot troubles at 10 in lovely orchid tones. cents a packet.

(Continued on Previous Colums.)

After a warm and tiring day-there is nothing so refreshing as

· OUR TOILET EAU DE COLOGNE,

Very Special Offer $1.25 per large bottle.

Look in at

THE QUEEN'S DISPENSARY,

(Next to Whiteaway, Laidlaw),

CENTRAL. 22, DES VOEUX ROAD Tel. No. C. 492.

(A.P.3.]

CELANESE

"TRICOT" UNDERWEAR

"CAMI-BOCKERS

TRINITY SETS" "PRINCESS SLIPS"

"NIGHTIES "KNICKERS

VESTS"

IN MANY BEAUTIFUL

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INCLUDING FOXGLOVE

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CHAMPIGNON

RHODODENDRON

**

GERANIUM AND MANY OTHERS.

LANE, CRAWFORD'S

Just

MEZZANINE FLOOR.

LADIES

SALON.

SHINGLING WAVING MANICURING

The promptest and most. courteous service in Town.

CAMPBELL MOORE.

19, Queen's Road Central (1st floor.

OPPOSITE COLONIAL DUPENGART.

arrived

New Summer Hats

at very moderate prices.

York Building,

Chater Road.

[120

THE SIGN

OF THE

LANTERN

Telephone C, 1864.

WE ARE NOW SHOWING

Our New Arrivals of

MANILA AND BANGKOK STRAW HATS

Very suitable for present Spring Wear.

These Hats are in all the Latest Shapes and Shades, and are Priced from $6.

Fresh Stocks will Arrive Every Week.

SWATOW LACE CO., LTD.

21, Queen's Road (Next H. K. H. Garage),

Buy your table delicacies at-

[1 P.B.[

THE FRENCH STORE

Where

you will find a large variety at most reasonable prices.

(Fresh Stocks arrive by every mall.)

8 & 9, BEACONSFIELD ÁECADE.

TEL. 0. 794.

[AF..]

THE PIONEER SILK STORE.

Always up-to-date

up-to-date goods for

goods for up-to-date people.