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- Acknowledgements
The late Francis and Kay Reif, who were married for over 50 years, shared an early interest in Chinese ivory sculptures and successfully collected some very important ivory carvings from major Chinese ivory collectors of the first half of the 20th century. Their connoisseurship combined with foresight and constancy built this magnificent collection, which has no equal in Canada. I had the pleasure of knowing Mr. and Mrs. Reif while they were alive and can see in their collection a reflection of their sensitive and reserved nature and tastes. We, at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, are indeed honoured to have received not only their Chinese ivory collection but also their extensive Chinese carved amber collection. They have greatly enhanced the reputation and quality of the Asian art collection at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.
Other donors to this exhibition include the late Mrs. Nancy Simpson who donated a sizeable number of later Chinese ivories to the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Descendants of the Rev. James M. Menzies have donated and loaned some bone and ivory pieces to this exhibition. Our profound thanks also go to the other donors of ivory items.
This exhibition of Chinese ivories has been combined with our collection of Chinese amber carvings in a travelling exhibition entitled Exotic Objets d�art, Chinese Amber and Ivory Carvings. The original idea for the exhibition was to include organic materials, not only amber and ivory, but also carvings of rhino horns, tortoise shells, mother-or- pearl, hornbill bird ivory, lacquer, etc. However, with the large donations of amber and ivory carvings from the Reifs, we decided to focus solely on these two materials. In 1999 we produced a catalogue on Chinese carved amber, which was co-sponsored by Can West Mall and Fairway Markets; therefore, this companion publication has been devoted to ivory. This publication is also partially funded by Can West Mall. We are grateful for their generous support.
Besides the organizations and people thanked in Mr. Arpin�s Foreword, I would like to thank Mary-ellen Threadkell and Paula Swart for proof reading the text and Bob Matheson for most of the photography.
There is not a great deal of published research on Chinese ivory carvings. We are indebted to three major studies on the subject: Ivory in China, 1925; Chinese Ivories from the Shang to Qing, 1984; and Chinese Ivories from the Kwan Collection, 1990.
Barry Till
Curator of Asian Art February 2001
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