90 looted ancient art blankets donated to the Shanghai Museum

90 looted ancient art blankets dispersed over Japan and the US were donated to the Shanghai Museum for permanent collection on Friday. Many blankets originated from Ningxia, Xinjiang, Gansu and Qinghai.

The Lee Yukuan Family Donation Ceremony was held at the Shanghai Museum on March 2. Representing the Lee family at the donation ceremony were Lee Yukuan’s eldest son Lee Jingze and his children Gaoshu Zhaoqi, Gaoshu Kangxi.

Yang Zhigang, curator of the Shanghai Museum said the number of donations is the largest over the past few years. These ancient art blankets are of significant value due to the good condition and variety. Besides, these donated blankets also fill the gap of collections at the Shanghai Museum.

Donation Ceremony (Photo: The Paper/Xiao Yongjun)

Lee Yukuan (1902-2011) was born in Shandong and entered the antique industry when he was 15 years old. Although he immigrated to the US, Lee went back to his hometown Qingdao, Shandong, and spent his adult years there. During his years overseas, Lee established "Lee Yukuan Education Foundation" to support students studying Chinese ancient art. As an esteemed collector and scholar of Chinese antiquities, he published works such as Art Rugs From Silk Route and Great Wall Areas.

Art Rugs From Silk Route and Great Wall Areas by Lee Yukuan (Photo: The Paper/Xiao Yongjun)

One example of the blankets donated (Photo: The Paper/Xiao Yongjun)

(Compiled by Lu Fangzhu)