Chinese art in three-dimensional colour
One of the rarest sets of art books in the world. Brand new and in mint condition. The current (10/1/2020) retail price of this set on Amazon is $1,249.50.
Four volumes of “ Chinese Art in Three-Dimensional Colour” by Harry M. Garner and Margaret Medley A detailed presentation in text and three dimensional photographs of the best of Chinese art and Chinese antiques on exhibition in museums around the world.
A very rare and beautiful four volume set of art books was produced by Harry M. Garner and Margaret Medley and the Gruber Foundation / The Asia Society, Portland, Oregon / New York, NY, 1969. The unusual purpose of the book was to present 3 dimensional images of the most beautiful and rare works of Chinese art, on exhibit in museums around the world. Gardner and Medley thought the only way to really appreciate the genius of the artists who produced these works was to see them in person.
Being that they are scattered in museums around the world, they decided the next best thing was to photograph them with stereo cameras and make the 3D images available to see. The 3D photography was done by William Gruber, of the Gruber Foundation. He invented the Viewmaster which was the method used to illustrate this set.
Gruber was an avid Chinese Art Collector. He collaborated with two Academics (Medley and Garner), two of the most famous Chinese Art writers/ Academics of their (or any) day. Together they worked on this 4 volume book. It was his, Gruber's, swan song, he died before publishing it. It was initially to have been published in a limited edition of 1,000, which would have made it rare, but it is rumored that only around 300 were ever printed making it super rare. This eccentric collection, which illustrates famous pieces in 3D from the world's most pre-eminent collections, stands as a testament to a lifetime devoted to both beauty and invention. The 4 Volumes: Hardcover. All Four volumes in slipcases; Includes "Viewmaster" reels; Published for the Gruber Foundation by the Asia Society. 4 volumes; Green cloth with black and gilt titling to spines; Black cloth slipcases; 1,305 pp.; 2,520 color illustrations. Vol. I: 320 pp.; 44 reels featuring 616 slides; Vol. II: 314 pp.; 44 reels featuring 616 slides; Vol. III: 318 pp.; 44 reels featuring 616 slides; Vol. IV: 353 pp.; 48 reels featuring 672 slides The total weight is over 16 pounds.
Rare set of four volumes.
4 volume set of rare books showing the best of chinese art and antiques in 3D images and descriptive text
You see here the spines of the four volumes, three of which are still sealed in their original wrapping. Volume II has been unsealed to photograph the positioning of the reels mounted in the covers. Next to the volume is the slipcase belonging to that volume. This set of books has never been opened to read nor have any of the 3D reels ever been removed from their envelopes. The entire set is new and in pristine "mint" condition.
You see here the spines of the four volumes, three of which are still sealed in their original wrapping.Volume II has been unsealed to photograph the positioning of the reels mounted in the covers. Next to the volume is the slipcase belonging to that volume. This set of books has never been opened to read nor have any of the 3D reels ever been removed from their envelopes. The entire set is new and in pristine "mint" condition.
You see here the spines of the four volumes, three of which are still sealed in their original wrapping.
What is covered by the four volumes?
The text in each volume features a detailed description of the art from a different period of Chinese history plus the 3D color slides showing the art itself.
Volume 1 includes the time period from 2500 BC to 206 BC. The art featureed in this volume goes into detail about ceramics, bronzes, gold, jades, stone, bone/ivory/glass and lacquer from the Neolithic, Shang Dynasty, Western Chou, Eastern Chou and Warring States period. It has 320 pages of text with 44 Viewmaster reels carrying 616 3D slides.
Volume 2 includes the time period from 206 BC to 906 AD. Ceramics, bronzes, stone, gold/silver, jades, glass, lacquer and wood/shell/textiles from the Han Dynasty, Three Kingdoms, The Six Dynasties (South and North), and both the Sui and Tang Dynasties. It has 314 pages of text with 44 Viewmaster reels carrying 616 3D slides.
Volume 3 includes the time period from 907 AD – 1368 AD. The art featureed in this volume goes into detail about Ceramics, Metalwork, Jade, Lacquer, Textiles from the Five Dynasties, Northern/Southern Sung, and Yuan Dynasty. It has 318 pages of text with 44 Viewmaster reels carrying 616 3D slides
Volume 4 includes the time period from 1368 AD to 1916 AD. The art featureed in this volume goes into detail about Ceramics, Famille verte, Famille rose, jade/hardstone, lacquer, ivory, wood, horn, metalwork, glass and textiles from the Ming and Ch’ing Dynasties. It has 353 pages of text with 48 Viewmaster reels carrying 672 3D slides
4 Volumes: Hardcover. All Four volumes in slipcases; Includes "Viewmaster" reels; Published for the Gruber Foundation by the Asia Society. 4 volumes; Green cloth with black and gilt titling to spines; Black cloth slipcases; 1,305 pp.; 2,520 color illustrations. Vol. I: 320 pp.; 44 reels featuring 616 slides; Vol. II: 314 pp.; 44 reels featuring 616 slides; Vol. III: 318 pp.; 44 reels featuring 616 slides; Vol. IV: 353 pp.; 48 reels featuring 672 slides The total weight is over 16 pounds.
Almost like you're standing in the museum looking at the actual art.
Each volume of the set has the Viewmaster reels inserted in the front and back covers.
The beauty of the blue and white dragon vase stands out in 3D.
On the far left is a vintage Viewmaster viewer. On the right is a modern viewer with a group of slide reels. There are many other kinds, including some with lights or stands. I see that currently there are very many offered on Ebay for anywhere from $0.99 to $15.00.