Published by Hacker Art Books in 1971, this edition is a reprint of Albert J. Koop’s seminal 1924 study, making an important work of art history accessible to a new generation of scholars and collectors. As an Assistant Keeper in the Department of Metalwork at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Koop brought considerable expertise to the project, aiming to provide a visual and analytical record of Chinese bronze artistry from its origins through the medieval period. The book’s primary aim, as stated in its original preface, is to present students of art and archaeology with a carefully selected series of illustrations that demonstrate the variety of forms and ornamental schemes applied to bronze vessels and implements.
The 1971 edition meticulously preserves the content of the original, featuring 84 pages of authoritative text accompanied by 110 full-page, high-quality black-and-white plates. These plates showcase examples held in various European collections at the time, serving as a crucial visual resource. Koop’s innovative approach classifies the pieces by their ornamental styles—Chou, Ch’in, Han, and T’ang—rather than strictly by chronological period, a method that acknowledges the complexities and debates surrounding precise dating of ancient bronzes. This reprint also retains the original’s valuable scholarly apparatus, which includes an excellent bibliography, a comprehensive index, and practical information for collectors on detecting forgeries. At 30 cm in height, this folio-sized volume is a substantial reference tool that continues to be a valuable resource for understanding the significance of bronzes in Chinese art and archaeology.
