J-E Berger Foundation: World Art Treasures

JACQUES-EDOUARD BERGER FOUNDATION : World Art Treasures
( version française )

Pottery Figurines. As early as the 4th Century BC, earthen figurines were used in tombs within Shaanxi Province. From the Qin and Han Dynasties came the trend of burying the dead with luxurious honours and pottery figurines were used in large quantities as burial articles. The figurines were given definite features during the dynasties of the Qin, Han, Southern and Northern, Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan and Ming. Among them, those of the Qin, Han and Tang dynasties are the most exquisite: the strength and vitality of the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses of the Qin Dynasty, the unadorned and delicate pottery figures of the Han Dynasty, the grand figures of the Tang Dynasty, the elegant and simple lines of the figures of the Song Dynasty. Such varying features show the Chinese tradition of sculpture in an incisive and vivid way.
Shaanxi History Museum - Xi'an.

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A shared Vision comprises the collection of works of art built up by Jacques-Edouard Berger and now on loan at Lausanne's Musée de design et d'arts appliqués contemporains, together with essays linked to his passion for collecting.

Fom upper left to right:

Painted Pottery Cavalryman - The Western Han Dynasty Height: 69 cm Length: 55 cm Unearthed in 1965 from Yangjiawan, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province Grasping the halter in his left hand, this cavalryman wears a red robe with a piece of kerchief tied under his lower jaw. The horse reflects the features of the Wu Sun horse from the Western Area during the Han Dynasty.
Painted and Gilded Cavalryman - The Tang Dynasty Height: 35 cm Length; 34.5 cm Unearthed in 1971 from Crown Prince Yide's Tomb, Qianxian County, Shaanxi Province Sitting on the back of an armoured horse, this armoured cavalryman holds a weapon in his right hand and grasps the halter in his left hand. He was regarded as the guard for the procession of the crown prince.
Painted Pottery Hun Person Fighting With A Panther on Horseback - The Tang Dynasty Height: 30.5 cm Length: 21 cm Unearthed in 1960 from Princess Yongtai's Tomb in Qianxian County, Shaanxi Province This man wears typical Hun-styled dress with a turndown collar, and he has heavy eyebrows, sunken eyes and an aquiline nose. As he fights with a fierce panther, he looks very brave and robust.
Painted and Gold-Traced Officer - The Tang Dynasty Height: 72 cm Unearthed in 1971 from Zhengrentai's Tomb,Liquan County, Shaanxi Province Wearing a helmet and armour, this officer clenches his fist and appears to have once held a weapon. He is very awe-inspiring.
Pottery Figurine Blowing A Horn On Horseback -The Northern Wei Dynasty Height: 39 cm Length: 36 cm Unearthed in 1953 from Caochangpo, Xi'an The horse wears a set of armour and the cavalryman is blowing a curved horn. Perhaps he is a bugler.
Painted Pottery Woman in Hun Costume - The Tang Dynasty - Height: 50 cm Unearthed in 1952 from Bianfangcun, Xianyang City, Shannxi Province
In the Tang Dynasty, the social atmosphere was very open. Wearing the Hun costume and wearing men's clothing was fashionable for a long time. This painted pottery woman is an example of that custom. On her body there is an inscription of two characters 'A Jian'.

J.-E Berger Foundation — World Art Treasures Project — Glossary — Home page June 2005 — The world's exhibitions

Direct access to lectures (in French):

Raphaël	Bronzino	Masaccio	Ousirhat:1—2	Kagemni:1—2	Petosiris: 1—2—3—4
Fayoum: 1—2	Hirapur:1—2	Orchha:1—2	Aihole:1—2	Mingun	G.de la Tour	Mingun

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