Collecting Antiquity in Modern China: Artifacts and Their Afterlives

Twentieth century was a troubled time for China, but it was also the golden age of archeology. In fact, it was thanks to the crises that ancient artifacts acquired extra layers of significance. And these artifacts did not simply appear on their own; rather, they were intimately linked to and defined by the intellectual and spiritual struggles of their collectors. It is no accident that many of these collectors were major cultural figures. For example, without the pioneering insights of Wang Yirong, Liu E, Luo Zhenyu, and Wang Guowei, the oracle bones might not see the light of day. Lu Xun’s engagements with ancient textual fragments formed the material basis of his critique of Chinese culture. Only by devoting himself to gathering ancient stelae was Shi Zhecun able to survive the Anti-Rightist Campaign. The discovery of two fourth-century epitaphs sparked Guo Moruo’s critique of Lantingxu’s authenticity, which prepared the ideological ground for the Cultural Revolution. Last but not least, Shen Congwen’s pursuit of ancient textiles gave him a new intellectual life after his writing career imploded.