Los Angeles (CNS) -- Local businessman and philanthropist Lloyd Cotsen recently announced in Los Angeles that he will return his treasure of 95 ancient bronze mirrors to China, as a donation to the Shanghai Museum, after May 14 of 2012 when the ongoing exhibition of 87 mirrors closes at the Huntington Library in San Marino, California.
Mr. Cotsen made a hobby of collecting these small and exquisite crafts at a young age. The 60 years of collection efforts have amassed him 95 mirrors that cover a time span of almost 3,000 years, the oldest dating back to the period of the Qijia Culture (2100BC-1700BC).
Asked why he is willing to give up ownership of mirrors that have brought him such strong aesthetic pleasure and much food for thought about the culture that created the beauties, Mr. Cotsen said it is to his belief that precious antiques must return home to perfectly fulfill the mission of an artwork - creation, research and appreciation.
In 2012 when the Shanghai Museum holds its 60th anniversary celebrations, a donation ceremony will be carried out to accept the kind gift bestowed by Mr. Costen, and global bronze mirror experts will be on hand to heighten everyone's appreciation of the mirrors by decoding the stories behind them, said Deputy Curator Chen Kunlun.
