On a Sunday in Hong Kong
Off to the Races! At least that was our plan. Until we found out the races weren’t so close. Turned out there are two horse tracks in Hong Kong, and on this Sunday the races were out in the New Territories. We could have gone, but it would have been a long ride on the MTR (subway system) with at least three transfers. ………….. We decided to forego the thoroughbreds to look at other horses; more prone and simple natured: antique ones.I talked Chris into giving me a tour of Hollywood Road. Now I’ve seen most of Hong Kong and even been in cabs through this Soho section before, but I had never really stopped along the famous antique shops of the neighborhood. I’m not sure why it has the name “Hollywood”. But the place is impressive. It was more like touring museum after museum. Some of the furniture and pieces looked to be copies, but many were incredible pieces of art.
We were in one shop, and my mouth dropped open at the accompanying historical record of a piece of potter. It said “Five Dynasties” 907 A.D. This wasn’t just some early American table that might be a couple of hundred years old. No! This was a carved intricate piece of porcelain of warriors on horses that was over 2000 years old!!
Nearby were these dark slim statues that turned out to be famous soldiers that once guarded the tombs of some emperors. In fact, the storeowner showed us a 2003 Time magazine article about the discovery of these pieces and how their store was prominently mentioned as owner of many of the statues. She went on to also tell us that the Chinese government was negotiating their return. She also told me to stop taking pictures. Oh well. It was too late, for I had already taken many with her husband beside me, and he had never said “no”.
But isn’t the age of these antiquities amazing. Truly we are narrow minded sometimes in America in regards to our great heritage, and then setting up these historical sites for every early fort or house in the country, when none are over 300 years old. These antiques are thousands of years old here!! I actually could have bought these pieces and walked out with them! Okay, maybe not……………. I couldn’t afford ‘em.
posted by A Bryson (formerly) in China @ 12:30 PM
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