Rapid development of material standards and improved education in the Republic of China have enabled many people to make art collection one of their favorite pastimes. A leading art collector in Taipei, Chuang Chiao-sung, was first inspired by an ice-clear plum flower vase. Having spent a lifetime searching out all kinds of antiques, he is today known as "the king of bronze" for his vast collection in this genre.

Chuang often says that as long as people "take pleasure and have treasure," they can enter the ranks of art collectors. The most important thing is to cultivate a respect and sincere appreciation of the processes involved, and pass on the spirit from generation to generation.

Incense burner: One rainy day, a middle-aged woman entered Chuang's home carrying a bundle wrapped in calico. She asked: "Mr. Chuang, would you please assess the value of this piece? A Japanese friend told me it is a household appliance dating from the Ming dynasty."

Chuang put on his eyeglasses and observed that the bronze piece was decorated with two flying dragons and a graceful phoenix, while its handles were in the form of two tiger heads. He traced the outline of the piece with his fingers, tapped it a few times, and then scrutinized the bottom through a magnifying glass.

"Well, is it genuine? How much is it worth?" the woman asked anxiously. Chuang put down his glasses, and said in Mandarin Chinese heavily accented with his Chuang-chou dialect: "I am sure this incense burner was not used in the court, otherwise the dragon would have five claws instead of only three. Now look at the tiger head handles. They are fastened to the body by three nails, showing that it was constructed after the end of the Ching dynasty. Why do you want to sell this beautiful object? I would advise you not to part with your family treasures so readily. You may never find anything so beautiful in Taiwan again."

The woman's eyes lit up and she packed up her incense burner and left. As he watched her disappear into the mist, Chuang realized he had forgotten to tell her that the piece was probably not worth much because the walls were too thin and the craftsmanship not refined.

Flower vase: At the end of World War Ⅱ when U.S. soldiers were preparing to leave the Philippines for home, Chuang's father went to Manila Harbor to attend an auction of military effects. He returned empty-handed, however, with the exception of a flower vase decorated with ice-clear plum blossoms. The piece became a great family heirloom, and Mrs. Chuang would not part with it even after her husband died, no matter how high a price was offered. Before she herself died, she passed on the piece to Chuang. He was immediately inspired to travel to antique markets in the Philippines, Chung-king, Fukien and Taiwan in search of more treasures.

Bronze tiger: Since his family had run a hardware store since he was a child, Chuang was especially interested in collecting bronze art works, which won for him the title of "bronze king." Today, the lobby of his apartment is lined with several large-scale display counters of antique bronzes, including tripods, incense burners, old coins, eagles, Buddhist statues, swords and others. On the walls, bronze mirrors are hung, all burnished with tea oil which gives them a rich luster.

On a table in front of a couch stands a bronze tiger baring its fangs, with its eyes glaring and its tail erect. Chuang tells a sad story about this piece. Apparently, in the autumn of 1951, he first encountered the lifelike statue in a curio shop. When he returned next day to collect it, he found it had already been sold for NT$4,000 (US$100). He eventually tracked down the buyer, and acquired the piece for NT$5,000. After he brought the tiger home, his third son, who was born in the year of the dragon, suddenly fell sick and died. One of his friends told him that an unfriendly spirit might be housed in the antique, and his son might have died as a result of a "fight" between the tiger and the dragon. Overcome with grief, Chuang tended to believe the story, and stuck a stone in the tiger's mouth to protect his youngest son, who was born in the year of the tiger. He also acquired several paintings, porcelain pieces and sculptures featuring tigers to appease the bronze tiger.

Carved olive pits: Among other precious items in his collection are small boats carved from olive pits, dating back to the Ming dynasty. They have to be scrutinized under a magnifying glass to reveal such details as two persons sitting at the bow and stern of the boat sipping wine, whose creased shirtsleeves seem to reflect the caressing of gentle breezes. When the windows are opened, several more people can be seen talking, cooking or playing the flute inside. The couplets are carved on the window frames, and a poem on the boats' hulls. Chuang could not hide his delight in finding such a marvelous world in a humble olive pit. He recalled: "I bought this carved nut at an old stall in Fengshan in 1947. I am sure it is a masterpiece of the Ming Dynasty. It was certainly well worth the price of 120,000 old Taiwan dollars that I paid for it."

The owner of the stall operates a curio shop opposite the National Palace Museum in the suburbs of Taipei. Recently he called Chuang with a request that he be allowed to buy the boat back. Chuang went to meet him, accompanied by his fifth son. As the haggling over the price proceeded, the son became so anxious that he cut short the negotiations. Chuang disclosed that he really had no intention of selling the piece, but was merely testing his son's ability to resist the temptation of money.

In spite of his priceless collection, Chung still lives in a humble old-fashioned house which is reserved for public functionaries. Besides simple furniture, it is laid out with shrines in honor of the Goddess of Mercy and the family ancestors. Chuang says: "Though I have eight children, I will not pass on any of my collection to them. Instead, I intend to acquire a spacious bungalow to house the pieces so that the public may marvel at the precious culture and heritage of the Chinese people."

[Picture Caption]

1. Chuang Chao-sung and his granddaughter enjoy looking at a small boat carved from an olive pit through a magnifying glass. 2. This bronze tripod, made during the period of the Six Dynasties, is highlighted by two dragon-shaped ears. 3. Chuang was inspired to take up antique collection as a career after he ran into this flower vase decorated with ice-clear plum blossoms.

1. This kylin-shape incense burner is a bronze masterpiece of the Ming Dynasty. 2. This bronze statue of a Taoist goddess is one of the most valuable items in Chuang's collection. 3. This piece, featuring two lions fighting over a ball is exquisitely carved. 4. This roaring tiger in bronze is fashioned so exactly that even its hair is visible.

Known as the "king of bronze," Chuang Chiao-sung is especially interested in collecting art works in the bronze genre. The two items pictured here, featuring Chang Kuo-lao, one of the Eight Immortals, riding a donkey (above) and an incense burner, are two of Chuang's most valuable pieces.

This bronze tripod, made during the period of the Six Dynasties, is highlighted by two dragon-shaped ears.

Chuang was inspired to take up antique collection as a career after he ran into this flower vase decorated with ice-clear plum blossoms.

This kylin-shape incense burner is a bronze masterpiece of the Ming Dynasty.

This bronze statue of a Taoist goddess is one of the most valuable items in Chuang's collection.

This piece, featuring two lions fighting over a ball is exquisitely carved.

This roaring tiger in bronze is fashioned so exactly that even its hair is visible.

Known as the "king of bronze," Chuang Chiao-sung is especially interested in collecting art works in the bronze genre. The two items pictured here, featuring Chang Kuo-lao, one of the Eight Immortals, riding a donkey （above） and an incense burner, are two of Chuang's most valuable pieces.

Known as the "king of bronze," Chuang Chiao-sung is especially interested in collecting art works in the bronze genre. The two items pictured here, featuring Chang Kuo-lao, one of the Eight Immortals, riding a donkey （above） and an incense burner, are two of Chuang's most valuable pieces.