Page 1 - Avery Brundage Ancient Bronzes and Collecting Biography
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              A Unique Pair




              The Bronze Rhinoceros and Its Collector, Avery Brundage



              Jay Xu








              The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco is home to one of the most distinguished col-
              lections of ancient Chinese bronzes. Assembled originally by the noted Chicago col-
              lector Avery Brundage (1887–1975, fig. 8.1), the collection was ultimately given to the 
              city and county of San Francisco as part of Brundage’s vast Asian art collection, which 
              formed the core of the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. The bronzes include a num-
              ber of most unusual objects, among them a rhinoceros-shaped vessel (figs. 8.2a–l) dat-
              able to the first half of the eleventh century bce. Here I explain what it was about Avery 
              Brundage that led him to acquire such unusual, even daring objects as the rhinoceros.
                Measuring only nine inches tall, the bronze rhinoceros is arguably the most famous 
              object in the Asian Art Museum’s collection, and among the most celebrated ancient 
              Chinese bronzes in the world. It has also been compared to Brundage himself; Sandy 
              Calhoun, an early member of the museum, remarked, “The rhino has the kind of physi-
              cal solidness and tenacity that Brundage had.” 1
                Tenacity or determination was indeed a trait that defined Avery Brundage through-
              out his life. The story of his rise from humble circumstances to become an outstanding 
              athlete, successful businessman, controversial Olympic leader, and great Asian art col-  figure 8.1. Avery Brundage (1887–1975). 
              lector has been told many times. A large body of literature is devoted to him, particularly   Frontispiece of Schöbel, Four Dimensions of 
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              to his long career in the Olympics movement.  Here a brief sketch of his life will suffice   Avery Brundage. 
              as background for the discussion that follows.
                Avery Brundage was born in Detroit on September 28, 1887, to a father who made 
              a living as a stonecutter. When Avery was five, the family moved to Chicago, but his 
              parents soon separated and his father deserted the family. The event was undoubtedly 
              traumatic for the young Avery; he experienced privation and had to work hard from an 
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              early age.  He was self-motivated in studies, with an enthusiasm for sports, particularly 






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