Antique Bronzes. Literati Stones and imaginary Landscapes
Jacques-Édouard Berger amassed a collection of some 400 Chinese works dating from the Neolithic to the 20th century. The selection currently on display is made up of literati stones and rocks from imaginary landscapes, as well as antique bronzes. “Literati stones” is the name given to rocks chosen for their beauty and their evocative power, which Chinese scholars used as a basis for meditation or which allowed them to escape in spirit to the Paradise of the immortals of Daoist mythology. Antique Chinese bronzes are ritual vessels which were used by aristocratic families to prepare, present or hold offerings of foodstuffs during ceremonial banquets held in honour of their deceased ancestors or which accompanied the latter to the tomb.