JUN 2010

VOLUME 41 - NUMBER 5

This issue's cover image of a gilt-wood praying mantis maedate comes from the helmet of an early 17th century suit of Japanese armour acquired by the Minneapolis Institute of Arts in 2009. Matthew Welch discusses what the armour reveals about the sophistication, status and identity of its original owner. Yuki Morishima looks at the ways in which the Medicine Buddha Triad at Yakushi-ji in Nara, Japan, demonstrates the imperial family's attempts to reinforce the legitimacy of its political rule and emphasize its power in the 7th and 8th century.

Paul Jett analyses a cache of Buddhist statues unearthed in Cambodia, on show as part of the exhibition 'Gods of Angkor: Bronzes from the National Museum of Cambodia' at the Freer/Sackler until January 2011 and thereafter at the J. Paul Getty Museum. Michelle Huang reflects on the life and work of Laurence Binyon, with particular reference to the Admonitions Scroll. Yang Xiaoneng concludes his series 'Ming Art and Culture from an Archaeological Perspective' with a discussion of works in gold, jade and other media.

After a busy spring season, we feature reviews of the Asia Week exhibitions and sales in New York, as well as Treasure Auctioneer's and Sotheby's spring sales in Hong Kong. We also look forward to gallery shows and fairs in London, Brussels and Taiyuan, Shanxi. In the commentary, Tiffany Beres takes a wry look at the world of the art fair.

FEATURES
Yang Xiaoneng. Ming Art and Culture from an Archaeological Perspective - Part 5: Works of Art in Gold, Jade and Other Media
Michelle Ying-Ling Huang. Laurence Binyon and the Admonitions Scroll
Paul Jett. Buddhist Bronzes in Cambodia: A Newly Discovered Cache
Yuki Morishima. Yakushi-ji: The Kondô and the Medicine Buddha Triad
Matthew Welch. Power and Status: A Nimai-do Gusoku Suit of Armour in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts
PREVIEWS & REVIEWS
Margaret Tao. Asia Week in New York
Fair Previews: The Russian, Eastern & Oriental Fine Art Fair, Brussels Oriental Art Fair 2010 and International Antiques & Arts Expo Taiyuan - Shanxi 2010
NEWS
Anthony Lin. Obituary: T. T. Tsui (1941-2010)
COMMENTARY
Tiffany Beres. Commentary: Art Fairs: Goldfish Bowls or Shark Tanks?