Pacific Asia Museum

NEWS ARCHIVE

Fall 2003

New Acquisition: An Early Tibetan Offering Table
Thanks to our Collectors’ Circle, the Museum recently acquired a rare 14th century Tibetan offering table. This fine Tibetan offering table, which is made of carved wood and is painted and gilded, would have been used in a Buddhist temple or home to hold Buddhist offerings such as flowers, incense, and water. It is decorated with finely carved lotus scrolls, showing the influence of the Chinese decorative style of the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368). This is a rare, early example of such a table (the date has been confirmed by a Carbon 14 test), and will be one of the oldest pieces included in the From Tent to Temple: Treasures of Tibetan Furniture exhibition that opens at Pacific Asia Museum in July 2004.

Back row (L to R): Alex Bui, Rosa Zee, Sunny Stevenson, Kit Chan & Carolyn McBride
Second row (L to R): Danella Chiu, Mary Connor, Joyce Kelly,
Elsie Chow, Marina Hsieh & Maurine Ohan
Front row (L to R): Rae Terk, Aye Khin Khin & Otto Snyder

Annual Volunteer Recognition
The Annual Volunteer Recognition was held on Sunday, Nov. 2 in the Pacific Asia Museum Courtyard. There were 60 volunteers who attended the party and more than 25 volunteers were recognized in the ceremony. During the event, Becky Sempell of the Chinese Arts Council recognized Marina Hsieh, Kit Chen, Jensen Chow, and Elsie Chow. Lei Lei Thein of the Myanmar Arts Council recognized Joanne Hsueh, Khin Aye Khin and Panella Chin. John Suh of the Korean Arts Council recognized Mary Connor and Bobbie Koh. Perveen Ali from the Pakistani Arts Council recognized Hina Abiadi and Shalila Andrabi. Of course, the two presidents, Alex Dean Bru from Philippine Arts Council and Bijay Niraula from Himalayan Arts Council, were recognized as well.

Volunteer Training is scheduled for February 7 and 14. If you are interested in this program, please call Rosa Zee at ext. 39.

Some of the snuff bottles on display
in the Tiny Treasures exhibition.

Left to right:Emma Dagan, Pacific Asia Museum’s Executive Director, Joan Marshall, and Emma's daughter Lynne Alschuler.

The Exquisite Collection of Emma Dagan
Over one third of the snuff bottles on display in Tiny Treasures (through January, 2004) belong to Beverly Hills resident Emma Dagan, a longtime Museum friend and supporter. “The Museum’s exhibit is simply spectacular,” commented Mrs. Dagan. “The ‘New Acquisition’ antique China bottle stands really enhance the presentation.” Mrs. Dagan, who refers to snuff bottles as “microcosms of Chinese art,” fell in love with the gems in 1967.

Since then she has built an ever-growing collection of 300 bottles. Her favorite piece in Tiny Treasures is a white jade pebble bottle.
Emma Dagan first became involved at Pacific Asia Museum in the early 1970’s and she loves the intimacy that Pacific Asia Museum provides.
We thank Emma Dagan for her continued support of Pacific Asia Museum and its activities.