1.3.02026-07-15brevRådata513775arkivdokumentStatens museer för världskultur - Östasiatiska museetSMVK-OMDokumenthttp://kulturarvsdata.se/SMVK-OM/arkivdokument/513775E1A-19_0230O2804 Driffield Manor, Cirencester, Glos. 13th November, 1945. Dear Mr. Karlgren, " I have been reading with interest your article on "Bronze Masters", I have helå a theory in regard to my own bronzes which may possibly explain some of the difficulties encountered. I have noticed that early bronzes show various degrees of wear: that in certain cases the principal wear has taken place where fingers would rub the boäy:of the bronze, In one case of Chih, the decoration has been almost completely eliminated,. My explanation is this. Suppose there were three families, "A""B" anä "C", and each were well-to-do enough to buy a bronze. We. shall. take "A" and "GQ", nmam family prospers and eath generation adds one or more bronzes to the collection of family heirlooms. With such & quantity of bronzes, no appreciable wear through handling héed take place. Eventually it may take several hundreds of years covering "A" and "B" types before the last heir dies. The whole collection would then be buried with him. This would account for the diversity of types. 4 In the case of the "G" family - "O"'g heir becomes poor and unable to acquire another bronze, and the same condition may apply to many generations. With the passing of time and continued ritual use of the same bronze on thousands of occasions, it is obviously certain that the bronze would become much worn, The family dies out and the only bronze is buried with the last survivor. In the case of "B", this family may be a wealthy one but not surviving for a lengthy period, and in this case a very homogeneous collection would be found. Is there any reason why the same inscription should not be ordered by memgbers of different generations? 5 If there are any flaws in my theory, please let me know, P.T.O.Ob == For this country, I have a large collection of -early bronzes, but although of fine patination, in general they do not Belong to the most expensive types such as are found in American Museums, I hope before very long, I may be able to come to Sweden and consult with you on bronzes, and, perhaps, Palugren on ceramics - I have a very large collection H of all pre-Ming. Wares. Yours sincerely, k ad Baca PN From Sir Herbert Ingram, Bt., Herr Bernard Kårlgren, Museum of Far Eastern Antlquities; Stockholm, SBWEDEN. kg Fan p. a gaf ndimage/jpeghttps://collections.smvk.se/carlotta-om/web/image/tn/10378291/E1A-19_0230a.jpghttps://collections.smvk.se/carlotta-om/web/image/zoom/10378290/E1A-19_0230a.jpghttp://kulturarvsdata.se/resurser/License#by-nc-ndÖstasiatiska museetStatens museer för världskulturimage/jpeghttps://collections.smvk.se/carlotta-om/web/image/tn/10378295/E1A-19_0230b.jpghttps://collections.smvk.se/carlotta-om/web/image/zoom/10378294/E1A-19_0230b.jpghttp://kulturarvsdata.se/resurser/License#by-nc-ndÖstasiatiska museetStatens museer för världskulturhttp://kulturarvsdata.se/SMVK-OM/arkiv/204098http://kulturarvsdata.se/SMVK-OM/arkivdokument/html/513775http://kulturarvsdata.se/SMVK-OM/arkivdokument/xml/513775http://kulturarvsdata.se/SMVK-OM/arkivdokument/rdf/513775