Page 10 - March 16, 2017 Chinese Art, The Harris Collection, Christies

“Erwin Harris was a passionate collector of the dynamic animal art of the Eastern Eurasian
Steppes produced during antiquity. Erwin was an important pioneer in his chosen feld
whose insight and keen observations have left an invaluable legacy for those with whom
his shared his enthusiasm.”

EMMA C. BUNKER, INDEPENDENT SCHOLAR

“I met Erwin and Terri Harris soon after I arrived at the Freer|Sackler galleries at the
Smithsonian Institution in 1990. I visited them in their home in Baltimore, a visit that
proved to be hugely benefcial for the Freer. It turned out that Erwin not only collected
ornamental bronzes from the Eurasian steppes, he also collected Chinese jades. I spotted
an unusual jade ornament in their entry foyer, and because I was able to tell them when
and where it was made, Erwin and Terri generously presented it to the Freer Gallery of Art
in 1991. It is one of the rarest and most important among the Freer’s collection of archaic
Chinese jades. (Fig. 1)
Erwin was especially keen to share his collection with scholars and to learn more about
what he collected, so when Emma Bunker and I suggested that we organize an exhibition
drawing from his steppe collection, he quickly agreed. This 1995 exhibition and the
resulting catalogue, Traders and Raiders on China’s Northern Frontier, at the Sackler
Gallery, ofered a fresh perspective on how cultural and artistic exchange occurred in
ancient China, and was a major learning experience for all. It also built lasting friendships
between Erwin, Terri, Emma, and me. Since they retired to Florida, I have visited them
at their home on Fisher Island, tasted Terri’s superb Caesar salad, enjoyed Erwin’s many
stories about his youthful exploits, and was delighted to see how he continued to surround
himself with the art that he loved.”

JENNY F. SO, FORMER SENIOR CURATOR FOR ANCIENT CHINESE ART (1990-2000) FREER|SACKLER GALLERIES, SMITHSONIAN
INSTITUTION, WASHINGTON, D.C.

Fig.1 A jade pendant in the form of a mask, Northeast China, Late Neolithic period, circa 3500-3000 BC, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler
Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.; gift of Therese and Erwin Harris, F1991.52.

8 THE HARRIS COLLECTION:
IMPORTANT EARLY CHINESE ART