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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbooks, February 1941-October 1943

ARCH.2003.28, Rendition: 800589

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This image displays a single page from the New York Herald Tribune, dated Sunday, May 4, 1941, identified as page 44 in the upper right corner. The page is yellowed with age and shows three punched holes along the left margin, suggesting it was once part of a bound collection or scrapbook.

The content of the page is dominated by two large articles about archaeological discoveries in Asia, specifically related to a Harvard University expedition to Indo-China (a historical term for mainland Southeast Asia, including regions like Vietnam, Cambodia, and parts of southern China).


Main Headline: Harvard Group To Show Relics Of Indo-China

This article, subtitled “Big Collection of Antiques Found by Expedition To Be Placed on Exhibition,” announces a major display of artifacts unearthed during a two-year archaeological dig in Indo-China by the Harvard-Yenching Institute.

Key points from the article include:

  • Exhibition Details: The collection, described as the largest and most remarkable of its kind ever imported from the United States, will be exhibited at the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard for a month, beginning Thursday, May 8, 1941.
  • Significance: It’s noted as the only exhibition of its kind ever held in the United States.
  • Key Discoveries:
    • Artifacts dating back to 2,000 years ago, including a remarkable “bronze lamp stand shaped like a horse.”
    • A “rare find”: a white ceramic vessel shaped like a fantastic kneeling animal with a large bell.
    • A 2000-year-old lamp stand in the form of a tortoise holding a wine cup.
    • 1,500 coins found, mainly bronze, from dynasties like the Tang, Han, and Ming.
    • Ceramics, bronze vessels, beads, and iron weapons from tombs dating from 1800 B.C. to 200 A.D.
    • The “first proof that these articles were made locally, 2,000 years ago and not imported from northern China.”

Accompanying Photograph

Below the main text, there is a black-and-white photograph with the caption:

“2000-YEAR-OLD LAMP STAND—Bronze tortoise holding wine cup in its mouth—one of several thousand priceless antiquities unearthed in Indo-China by the Harvard University-Yenching Institute expedition.”

The photo shows a large, ornate bronze artifact: a stylized tortoise with a shell, standing on four legs, and holding a circular wine cup in its open mouth. The image is slightly grainy, typical of newspaper photography of the era.


Secondary Headline: Fogg Art Museum to Exhibit Rare Indo-China Antiquities

This article, located at the bottom of the page, provides a shorter, slightly different summary of the same exhibition, repeating key points about the 2,000-year-old lamp and the 1500 coins. It also mentions Professor Olov R. T. Janse, who headed the expedition, and his goal to understand the cultural and economic connections between southern China and Indo-China.


Press Clipping Service Notices

On the right side of the page, there are two stamps or notices from “Press Clipping Service” of the “Christian Science Monitor” in Boston, Mass., dated May 2, 1941, and May 4, 1941. These indicate that the articles were likely clipped and collected by the Monitor’s press service for their records or distribution.


Overall Context

The page is a fascinating historical document from the early 1940s, highlighting a significant moment in Western archaeology and museology—the unveiling of artifacts from a poorly understood region to American audiences. The tone is one of academic excitement and cultural discovery, framing the finds as “priceless antiquities” that shed light on ancient civilizations. The focus is clearly on the artifacts themselves and the prestige of the Harvard-Yenching expedition. No photographs of people or the excavation site are included; the emphasis is on the objects and their historical significance.

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The image appears to be a scanned copy of a page from the "New York Herald Tribune" dated Sunday, May 4, 1941. The page contains an article titled "Harvard Group To Show Relics Of Indo-China," which discusses a collection of ancient artifacts from Indo-China that have been unearthed by a Harvard-Yenching Institute expedition. The article details the discovery of several thousand valuable objects, including bronze mirrors, ceramics, and other artifacts, dating from the first two centuries after Christ. The text is accompanied by a photograph of a 2000-year-old lamp stand, described as a bronze tortoise holding a wine cup in its mouth, which is one of the priceless antiquities unearthed by the Harvard University-Yenching Institute expedition. The article mentions that the artifacts will be on public display at the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard for a month, starting the following Thursday, and that it will be the only exhibition of its kind ever held in the United States. Additionally, there are two press clipping service notices, one from the Christian Science Monitor and another from the Herald, both dated May 7, 1941.

Qwen, Qwen/Qwen2.5-VL-72B-Instruct

This image is a scanned or photographed page from the New York Herald Tribune, dated Sunday, May 4, 1941. The page is beige or light brown, suggesting it is an old, possibly preserved document. The main headline reads, "Harvard Group To Show Relics Of Indo-China," and it is followed by a detailed article discussing the largest and most remarkable collection of antiquities ever imported to the United States from that region.

The article describes a Harvard-Yenching Institute expedition led by Professor Olov R. T. Janse, which excavated numerous valuable objects, including bronze mirrors, 2,000-year-old coins, a bronze lamp stand in the form of a tortoise holding a wine cup, and various other artifacts from Indo-China and the Philippines. The collection is set to be displayed at the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard for a month.

There are two smaller sections labeled "Press Clipping Service" on the right side of the page, referencing the Christian Science Monitor and the Herald, both from Boston, Massachusetts, dated May 7, 1941, and May 4, 1941, respectively.

At the bottom of the page, there is a photograph of a 2,000-year-old bronze tortoise lamp stand holding a wine cup in its mouth. The caption describes it as one of several thousand priceless antiquities unearthed in Indo-China by the Harvard University-Yenching Institute expedition.

The page also includes a subheading, "Fogg Art Museum to Exhibit Rare Indo-China Antiquities," which further elaborates on the collection's significance and the historical context of the artifacts. The text mentions various types of objects found, such as jars, vases, cups, plates, and house models made from different materials, including red, gray, or white ceramics, bronzes, and glass beads.

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The image is a page from a newspaper, specifically the "New York Herald Tribune," dated Sunday, May 4, 1941. The page is slightly aged, with a brownish tint and some creases, suggesting it has been preserved for a long time. The layout includes multiple sections of text, advertisements, and a photograph.

At the top left corner, there is a headline titled "Harvard Group To Show Relics Of Indo-China," followed by a subheading that reads "Big Collection Of Antiques Found By Expedition To Be Placed On Exhibition." This section details an expedition by Harvard University to Indo-China, where they discovered a significant collection of antiques. The article mentions the importance of these artifacts and their planned exhibition.

Below this, there is a smaller headline titled "Fogg Art Museum to Exhibit Rare Indo-China Antiquities," which reiterates the discovery and the planned exhibition at the Fogg Art Museum. The article describes the artifacts, including a bronze tortoise holding a wine cup, and emphasizes their historical significance.

On the right side of the page, there are two advertisements for "Press Clipping Service," both from "2 Park Square, Boston, Mass." These ads are straightforward, with text promoting the services offered.

In the center of the page, there is a photograph of an artifact. The image shows a bronze sculpture of a tortoise holding a wine cup in its mouth. The sculpture appears to be ancient, with intricate details and a patina that suggests its age. The caption below the image identifies the artifact as a "2000-year-old lamp stand" and mentions that it is one of several thousand priceless antiquities unearthed in Indo-China by the Harvard University-Yenching Institute expedition.

The page also includes a smaller headline titled "1,500 Coins Found," which briefly mentions the discovery of coins as part of the expedition's findings.

Overall, the page is a historical document that provides insight into a significant archaeological discovery and its planned exhibition, along with advertisements for press clipping services.

Amazon, amazon.nova-lite-v1:0

The image is a newspaper clipping from the New York Herald Tribune, dated May 4, 1941. The headline reads "Harvard Group To Show Relics Of Indo-China." The article discusses the findings of a Harvard University expedition to the Philippines, which unearthed a significant collection of ancient artifacts from the Han Dynasty era, dating back over 2,000 years. The artifacts include bronze mirrors, weapons, household utensils, jewelry, and ceramic vessels, some of which are described as being in excellent condition. The expedition, led by Professor Olov R. T. Jane, is noted for its importance in providing insights into early Chinese civilization and its connections with the Western world. The article also mentions that the artifacts will be exhibited at the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University for a month, starting on May 11, 1941. The clipping includes a small black-and-white image of a bronze tortoise holding a wine cup, one of the artifacts discovered.

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Description of the Image

The image is a scanned page from the New York Herald Tribune, dated Sunday, May 4, 1941. The page features a news article titled "Harvard Group To Show Relics Of Indo-China", which discusses an upcoming exhibition of ancient artifacts from Indo-China (modern-day Southeast Asia) at the Fogg Art Museum in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Main Article: "Harvard Group To Show Relics Of Indo-China"

  • Headline: The article highlights the significance of the exhibition, emphasizing that it will feature a large collection of antiquities from Indo-China, many of which are being displayed publicly for the first time.
  • Content Overview:
    • The artifacts were collected during a Harvard University expedition to Indo-China, led by Professor Kwang-Chih Chang.
    • The collection includes items dating back thousands of years, such as ceramics, coins, stone tools, and religious relics.
    • Notable pieces mentioned include:
      • A 2000-year-old bronze lamp stand shaped like a tortoise, holding a wine cup in its mouth.
      • A large gray-furred ape-like figure, possibly a deity or mythical creature.
      • Ancient Chinese coins, some dating back to the Han dynasty.
      • Religious artifacts, including figurines and ceremonial objects.
    • The article emphasizes the historical and cultural importance of these artifacts, noting that many were discovered in tombs, caves, and other archaeological sites.
    • The exhibition is described as the largest and most important collection of Indo-Chinese antiquities ever brought to the United States.

Subheading: "Fogg Art Museum to Exhibit Rare Indo-China Antiguities"

  • This subheading reinforces the main article's focus, providing additional context about the exhibition at the Fogg Art Museum.
  • Key points include:
    • The exhibition will feature over 2,000 pieces of artifacts, many of which are previously unseen by the public.
    • The artifacts span a wide range of periods, from the Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) to the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE).
    • Some notable items include:
      • A 2000-year-old bronze lamp stand in the shape of a tortoise.
      • A large gray-furred ape-like figure, possibly a deity.
      • Ancient Chinese coins and religious figurines.
    • The exhibition is described as a rare opportunity to view these invaluable artifacts, many of which have never been displayed publicly before.

Visual Elements:

  • Photograph: Below the article, there is a black-and-white photograph of a 2000-year-old bronze lamp stand shaped like a tortoise. The lamp stand is holding a wine cup in its mouth, showcasing its intricate design and craftsmanship.
  • Caption: The caption beneath the photograph reads:

    "2000-YEAR-OLD LAMP STAND—Bronze tortoise holding wine cup in its mouth—one of several thousand priceless antiquities unearthed in Indo-China by the Harvard University-Yenching Institute expedition."

Additional Details:

  • Date and Source: The article is dated Sunday, May 4, 1941, and is from the New York Herald Tribune.
  • Layout: The page includes additional text elements, such as:
    • Press Clipping Service stamps from Christian Science Monitor and Herald, both located in Boston, Massachusetts, dated May 7, 1941, and May 4, 1941, respectively.
    • The page number 48 is visible in the top-right corner.

Overall Impression:

The image captures a historical moment in the world of archaeology and art, showcasing the discovery and public display of significant Indo-Chinese antiquities. The article highlights the importance of these artifacts and the role of Harvard University in their discovery and preservation. The accompanying photograph adds a visual element that emphasizes the beauty and historical value of the artifacts, making the article both informative and visually engaging.

OpenAI, gpt-4o-2024-11-20

This image shows a yellowed newspaper page from the New York Herald Tribune, dated Sunday, May 4, 1941. It contains articles about an exhibition of Indo-China relics and rare antiquities organized by Harvard University-Yenching Institute.

Articles:

  1. Main Article:

    • Titled "Harvard Group To Show Relics of Indo-China," the piece highlights a large collection of artifacts discovered by the Harvard-Yenching Institute's expedition in Indo-China. These relics, ranging from everyday utensils to ceremonial objects, are being showcased at the Fogg Art Museum in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
    • Special artifacts include bronzes, pottery, jewelry, and a notable bronze tortoise lamp stand (estimated to be 2,000 years old), depicting skillful craftsmanship from the region.
  2. Subsection:

    • Mentions rare discoveries, ceremonial items, tools, and objects dating back to ancient periods. The expedition unearthed items such as burial artifacts, jars, and iron weapons.

Visuals:

At the bottom right corner, there is a black-and-white image of a 2,000-year-old bronze lamp stand shaped like a tortoise holding a cup in its mouth—an item featured in the exhibition.

Additional Information:

The clipping includes two rectangular labels from a Press Clipping Service:

  • One with the date "May 7, 1941."
  • Another stamp marking the Boston Herald source.

The page also has visible signs of aging, including discoloration and small holes.

OpenAI, gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07

This is a scan of an old scrapbook/newspaper page from May 4, 1941 (New York Herald Tribune). The page is brown and aged, with a large headline on the left: “Harvard Group To Show Relics Of Indo-China” about a big collection of antiques found by an expedition to be exhibited. The text below fills dense newspaper-style columns.

On the right are two small clipping notices from the Press Clipping Service (Boston, Mass.), dated May 7, 1941 and May 4, 1941.

At the bottom right is a large black-and-white photo of a 2,000-year-old lamp stand: a bronze tortoise holding a wine cup in its mouth, one of the Indo-China antiquities unearthed by the Harvard University–Yenching Institute expedition. Beneath it is a caption discussing this item.

Below the image is another article titled “Fogg Art Museum to Exhibit Rare Indo-China Antiquities,” describing the exhibit. The page includes visible creases, a few holes, and a handwritten page number in the top right corner.

OpenAI, gpt-4

This is an image of a vintage newspaper page from the "New York Herald Tribune," dated Sunday, May 4, 1941. The page features several articles and two press clipping service stamps.

The prominent headline at the top reads, "Harvard Group To Show Relics Of Indo-China." Below this headline is an article describing antiquities found by an expedition to Indo-China that are to be placed on exhibition.

On the bottom half of the page, there is a sub-heading that reads, "Fogg Art Museum to Exhibit Rare Indo-China Antiquities," along with an image and a brief caption. The image depicts a 2000-year-old bronze lamp stand in the shape of a tortoise holding a wine cup in its mouth, which is described as one of several thousand priceless antiquities unearthed in Indo-China by the Harvard University Yenching Institute expedition.

On the right side, there are markings for a press clipping service with an address in Boston, Massachusetts, suggesting that the page was part of a specialized service that collected and distributed newspaper articles to interested parties.

The rest of the page is filled with text from the articles, which is too fine to read in detail without zooming in. The paper shows signs of age, including a small tear or hole on the left side, and slight discoloration consistent with old paper documents.

OpenAI, gpt-4.1-mini-2025-04-14

The image shows a newspaper page from the New York Herald Tribune dated Sunday, May 4, 1941. The main focus is on articles about a collection of rare Indo-China antiquities discovered by a Harvard University expedition.

The largest article, titled "Harvard Group To Show Relics Of Indo-China," describes the discovery of a big collection of antiques from ancient Indo-China, including bronze mirrors, ceramics, jewelry, and weapons. It mentions that these items date back to around 2000 years ago and were found in untouched tombs. Notably, there is a mention of a rare bronze tortoise-shaped lamp stand holding a wine cup.

There is also a photograph on the page showing the 2000-year-old bronze tortoise lamp stand holding a wine cup in its mouth, identified as a priceless antiquity unearthed in Indo-China by the Harvard University-Yenching Institute expedition.

Another article titled "Fogg Art Museum to Exhibit Rare Indo-China Antiquities" details that the Harvard expedition had dug for two years in Indo-China and the Philippines, uncovering numerous bronze and ceramic artifacts from the first two centuries after Christ. These are being exhibited at the Fogg Art Museum in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Two small "Press Clipping Service" stamps appear on the page, one from the Christian Science Monitor and another from the Herald, both based in Boston, Massachusetts, and dated May 1941.

Overall, the page highlights the significance of the archaeological find, the variety of artifacts discovered, and the upcoming exhibition showcasing this remarkable collection.