William Marcellous Lindgren Asian Art Collection

World traveler William Marcellous Lindgren was born in 1922 in Braham, Minnesota, a small town just north of Cambridge on Highway 65. He served on the St. Cloud State faculty from 1966 to 1968 and again from 1975 to 1988. Lindgren passed away in 1993.

Lindgren began traveling across Asia in 1947 as an employee of the California Texas Oil Company (Caltex). By the time he returned to Minnesota in 1966, he had been assigned to China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, and Vietnam. As an employee of the Pfizer Pharmaceutical Company toward the end of this period, he had additional assignments in the Philippines, Singapore, and Japan. Whenever possible he would visit other nearby locales, including Macao, Thailand, Cambodia, Kashmir, Nepal, Tibet, and Afghanistan. Given the time frame and locations, Lindgren found himself in the middle of many events that changed the geo-political landscape of the 20th century, among them the establishment of Communist China, its invasion of Tibet and the Dalai Lama’s flight to India, the French-Viet Minh conflict and subsequent Vietnam War, and Cold War movements among the United States, the Soviet Union, and China in the border regions of Central Asia. This also made Lindgren a valuable source of information for American intelligence agencies, which often took advantage of his proximity and ability to move relatively freely in these areas by debriefing him for information.

During his time in Asia, Lindgren collected a wide variety of objects and art works from many of the countries mentioned here. A selection can be seen on the walls and display cases just outside of University Archives. Most of these items have never been seen outside of the University Archives’ reading room and storage area. Shortly after his death in 1993, his extensive collection of Asian art was donated St. Cloud State University and stored in University Archives.

Lindgren began his career in China and spent more of his time there than anywhere else during his life in Asia, and he generally favored his experiences and the people there above all others. While living and working as a manager of Caltex offices responsible for selling and shipping oil products throughout China, Lindgren became a member of numerous exclusive social clubs and rubbed shoulders with ambassadors, consuls, and other dignitaries from around the world at countless black tie affairs. He also befriended several wealthy and well-situated families in China that allowed him a great amount of leisure and luxury, among them the Dukakis family, the Shogas family, and perhaps the most important of these families for him, the Tsu family. Mr. Tsu Ming Dong, a very wealthy Chinese businessman, invited Lindgren to live with him whenever he was in Shanghai, letting Lindgren take advantage of his mansion, grounds, servants, cars, chefs, and chauffeurs. Caltex also provided him with large living accommodations that included servants, drivers, and chefs, and excursions to local getaways like Macao, where gambling and opium were popular. Due to the civil war in China, however, not all experiences were this glamorous. Indeed, on more than one occasion Lindgren was in the path of Communist and Nationalist hostilities and had to flee the cities he called home.

Chinese and Tibetan Works

• Embroidered Silk Landscape, China, 1948 (No. 2019)
• Ancestor Portraits, China, 1900-1920, watercolor and charcoal (No. 2061)
• Hong Kong Harbor, Hong Kong, 1940-1950, watercolor by Ling (No. 2011)
• Chinese Miniature Paintings, China, early 20^th century, watercolor (No. 2033)
• Scroll with Carp and Pomegranates, China, early 20^th century, watercolor (No. 2067)
• Portrait of a Man, Hong Kong, mid-20^th century, watercolor by Ling (No. 2058)
• Portrait of a Woman, Hong Kong, mid-20^th century, watercolor by Ling (No. 2058)
• Silk Scroll with Landscape, China, mid-20^th century (No. 2025)
• Hunting in Autumn, China, mid-20^th century (No. 2068)
• Watching Clouds and Mist in the Mountains of Shangrao, China, mid-20^th century (No. 2068)
• Chinese Ice Chest, China, late 19^th century (No. 2066)
• Marble Seals with Dragons, China, mid-20^th century (No. 2014)
• Ivory Cribbage Board, China, early 20^th century (No. 2016)
• Carved Ivory Boat, China, early 20^th century (No. 2013)
• Porcelain Vase with Celadon Glaze, China, mid-20^th century (No. 2017)
• Porcelain Famille Rose Vase, China, 1930-1950 (No. 2032, #1, #2)
• Group of Ceramic Bowls with Celadon Glazes, China, Song Dynasty 13^th century (No. 2035)
• Group of Soapstone Immortals, China, early 20^th century (No. 2036, #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8)
• Bronze Mirror with Lion and Grape motif, China, Tang Dynasty 705-907 CE (No. 2037)
• Opium Lamp, China, late 19^th century (No. 2042)
• Carved Wooden Figures, China, 1890-1960 (No. 2043)
• Soapstone Statue of a Goddess, China, mid-20^th century (No. 2049)
• Cloisonné Glass Enamel Vases, China, 1930-1950 (No. 2046, #1, #2)
• Bronze Incense Burner, China, 1850-1900 (No. 2047)
• Jade Bowl or Cup, China, late 19^th century (No. 2048)
• Ivory Snuff Bottle, China, early 20^th century (No. 2052)
• Group of Five Soapstone Seals, China, mid-20^th century (No. 2053, #1, #2, #3, #4, #5)
• Porcelain Vase with a Scholar’s Studio, China, late 19^th century (No. 2060)
• Porcelain Vase with Faux Crackle Glaze, China, 1950-1960 (No. 2056)
• Brass Lotus Petal Opium Lamp, China, late 19^th century, (No. 2057)
• Tibetan Monastery Horn, Tibet, mid-20^th century, copper and silver (No. 2022)
• Fragments of a Bed or Screen, Tibet, 1880-1910, gilded wood (No. 2062)
• Ke-Tri (Sword) In Sheath, Tibet, mid-20^th century (no. 2008)
• Wooden Incense Container, Tibet, 1880-1910 (No. 2023)
• Copper Tea Pot, Tibet, late 19^th to early 20^th century (No. 2034)
• Wooden Bowls and Utensils with Silver and Stone Inlays, Tibet, 1890-1930 (No. 2045 #1, #2, #3, #4, #5)
• Copper Elephant Drink Warmer, Tibet, 1890-1920 (No. 2050)

Lindgren found little appeal to life in India, though he attended parties much like he had in China and lived in a grand house once owned by the Maharaja of Burdwan. He relieved his displeasure with trips to Nepal and Kashmir in addition to his other trips to Kalimpong. While in Nepal he was introduced to the British High Commissioner of Nepal and the Indian Consul General of Nepal. He also had the opportunity to witness the festival of Dashain in honor of the Goddess Durga, and attend the birthday parade for the King of Nepal. He even made a visit to Mt. Everest, climbing to perhaps 3,000 feet.

Elite Society in Pakistan

Following his assignment in India, Lindgren moved on to Pakistan, where he had a much more enjoyable life in Lahore, a city that continued to have an elite society and offered many similar comforts and experiences that he had enjoyed in China. While in Pakistan, he gained permission from the Mir of Hunza, Jamal Khan, to go to Hunza as the guest of the Mir and his family, making Lindgren one of only about 40 Americans to have visited since 1915. Toward the end of his stay in Pakistan in February 1957, Lindgren gave a reception at his home for an estimated 120 guests, many of them notable dignitaries from the region, the night before the annual horse and cattle show, a very important social event in Pakistan.

Indian, Nepalese, and Pakistani Works

• Mughal Brass Ewer, India, 18^th century (No. 2012)
• Ceremonial Copper Bowl, Nepal, 1850-1910 (No. 2024)
• Kukri (Machete) and Sheath, Nepal, mid-20^th century (No. 2038)
• Portraits of Mughal Emperors, Pakistan,1956, watercolor (No. 2001)
• Afghan Beggar, Pakistan, mid-20^th century, oil on canvas by Murian Shaw (No. 2027)

After leaving Caltex in 1961, Lindgren began working for the Pfizer Pharmaceutical Company managing its veterinary products division in Manila, a job he considered dull and uninteresting. He spent much of his time over the next few years living and working in the Philippines.

Pfizer and Japan

Lindgren’s work with the Pfizer Pharmaceutical Company took him to Japan on several occasions in the early to mid-1960s when the company bought Coty Cosmetics. Lindgren was responsible for making Coty a direct subsidiary of Pfizer.

Philippine and Japanese Works

• Carving of Four Women, Philippines, mid-20^th century, wood (No. 2020)
• Fisher Boy, Philippines, 1962, oil on canvas by Paco Gorospe (No. 2003)
• Portrait Bust of a Woman, Philippines, mid-20^th century, wood (No. 2021)
• Profile Portraits, Philippines, mid-20^th century, wood (No. 2004)
• Christ as Shepherd (Wooden Door Panel from the Manila Cathedral), Philippines, late 18^th century, wood (No. 2005)
• Spanish Cathedral of Manila, Philippines, 1963, watercolor by Hugo Yonzon (No. 2028)
• Fort Santiago, Manila, Philippines, 1963, watercolor by Hugo Yonzon (No. 2029)
• Set of Nine Gulintangan (Kulintang) Gongs, Philippines, early 20^th century, brass (No. 2030)
• Portrait of a Young Woman, Philippines, 1962, oil on canvas by Pedro C. Amorsolo (No. 2065)
• Portrait of a Young Man, Philippines, 1962, oil on canvas by Pedro C. Amorsolo (No. 2065)
• Moro Kampilan Sword, Philippines, late 19^th century (No. 2007)
• Carving of a Woman, Philippines, 1940-1960 (No. 2018)
• Crooked Kris (Sword), Philippines, early 20^th century (No. 2041)
• White Forest, Japan, 1973, woodblock print by Fumio Fujita (No. 2009)
• Bamboo, Japan, mid-20^th century, woodblock print by Kotozuka Eiichi (No. 2059)
• Porcelain Arita-Ware Dish, Arita, Japan, 1880-1910 (No. 2031)
• Bronze Foot Suiban (Bonsai Planter), Japan, Meiji period 1868-1912 (No. 2051)
• Sake Set and Screen, Japan, 1930-1960s (No. 2055)
• Ceramic Plate with Flower Design, Japan, late 20^th century (No. 2069)

World War II and its aftermath meant opportunity for political change throughout the world. Dozens of countries in Asia in particular sought and fought for independence from their European colonial rulers and looked to alternative forms of government, most notably communism. When William Lindgren entered adulthood and the world stage, he found himself in this turbulent milieu of places and events that changed the geo-political landscape of the 20^th century. As he lived, worked, and traveled throughout Asia, he collected works of art along the way, art that is presented here. What follows is a timeline of Lindgren’s life and activity in relation to various events from both the world at large and within his Asian sphere of experience.

China

• Embroidered Silk Landscape, 1948 (No. 2019)
• Ancestor Portraits, 1900-1920, watercolor and charcoal (No. 2061)
• Hong Kong Harbor, 1940-1950, watercolor by Ling (No. 2011)
• Chinese Miniature Paintings, early 20^th century, watercolor (No. 2033)
• Scroll with Carp and Pomegranates, early 20^th century, watercolor (No. 2067)
• Portrait of a Man, Hong Kong, mid-20^th century, watercolor by Ling (No. 2058)
• Portrait of a Woman, Hong Kong, mid-20^th century, watercolor by Ling (No. 2058)
• Silk Scroll with Landscape, mid-20^th century (No. 2025)
• Hunting in Autumn, China, mid-20^th century (No. 2068)
• Watching Clouds and Mist in the Mountains of Shangrao, China, mid-20^th century (No. 2068)
• Chinese Ice Chest, late 19^th century (No. 2066)
• Marble Seals with Dragons, mid-20^th century (No. 2014)
• Ivory Cribbage Board, early 20^th century (No. 2016)
• Carved Ivory Boat, early 20^th century (No. 2013)
• Porcelain Vase with Celadon Glaze, mid-20^th century (No. 2017)
• Porcelain Famille Rose Vase, 1930-1950 (No. 2032)
• Group of Ceramic Bowls with Celadon Glazes, Song Dynasty 13^th century (No. 2035)
• Group of Soapstone Immortals, early 20^th century (No. 2036)
• Bronze Mirror with Lion and Grape motif, Tang Dynasty 705-907 CE (No. 2037)
• Opium Lamp, late 19^th century (No. 2042)
• Carved Wooden Figures, 1890-1960 (No. 2043)
• Soapstone Statue of a Goddess, mid-20^th century (No. 2049)
• Cloisonné Glass Enamel Vases, 1930-1950 (No. 2046)
• Bronze Incense Burner, 1850-1900 (No. 2047)
• Jade Bowl or Cup, late 19^th century (No. 2048)
• Ivory Snuff Bottle, early 20^th century (No. 2052)
• Group of Five Soapstone Seals, mid-20^th century (No. 2053)
• Porcelain Vase with a Scholar’s Studio, late 19^th century (No. 2060)
• Porcelain Vase with Faux Crackle Glaze, 1950-1960 (No. 2056)
• Brass Lotus Petal Opium Lamp, late 19^th century, (No. 2057)

Tibet

• Tibetan Monastery Horn, mid-20^th century, copper and silver (No. 2022)
• Fragments of a Bed or Screen, 1880-1910, gilded wood (No. 2062)
• Ke-Tri (Sword) In Sheath, mid-20^th century (no. 2008)
• Wodden Incense Container, 1880-1910 (No. 2023)
• Copper Tea Pot, late 19^th to early 20^th century (No. 2034)
• Wooden Bowls and Utensils with Silver and Stone Inlays, 1890-1930 (No. 2045)
• Copper Elephant Drink Warmer, 1890-1920 (No. 2050)

India

• Mughal Brass Ewer, 18^th century (No. 2012)

Nepal

• Ceremonial Copper Bowl, 1850-1910 (No. 2024)
• Kukri (Machete) and Sheath, mid-20^th century (No. 2038)

Pakistan

• Portraits of Mughal Emperors, 1956, watercolor (No. 2001)
• Afghan Beggar, mid-20^th century, oil on canvas by Murian Shaw (No. 2027)

Philippines

• Carving of Four Women, mid-20^th century, wood (No. 2020)
• Fisher Boy, 1962, oil on canvas by Paco Gorospe (No. 2003)
• Portrait Bust of a Woman, mid-20^th century, wood (No. 2021)
• Profile Portraits, mid-20^th century, wood (No. 2004)
• Christ as Shepherd (Wooden Door Panel from the Manila Cathedral), late 18^th century, wood (No. 2005)
• Spanish Cathedral of Manila, 1963, watercolor by Hugo Yonzon (No. 2028)
• Fort Santiago, Manila, 1963, watercolor by Hugo Yonzon (No. 2029)
• Set of Nine Gulintangan (Kulintang) Gongs, early 20^th century, brass (No. 2030)
• Portrait of a Young Woman, 1962, oil on canvas by Pedro C. Amorsolo (No. 2065)
• Portrait of a Young Man, 1962, oil on canvas by Pedro C. Amorsolo (No. 2065)
• Moro Kampilan Sword, late 19^th century (No. 2007)
• Carving of a Woman, 1940-1960 (No. 2018)
• Crooked Kris (Sword), early 20^th century (No. 2041)

Japan

• White Forest, 1973, woodblock print by Fumio Fujita (No. 2009)
• Bamboo, mid-20^th century, woodblock print by Kotozuka Eiichi (No. 2059)
• Porcelain Arita-Ware Dish, Arita, 1880-1910 (No. 2031)
• Bronze Foot Suiban (Bonsai Planter), Meiji period 1868-1912 (No. 2051)
• Sake Set and Screen, 1930-1960s (No. 2055)
• Ceramic Plate with Flower Design, late 20^th century (No. 2069)

Other

• Set of Three Thai Dancers, Thailand, mid-20^th century, watercolor (No. 2010)
• Wooden Carving of a Woman, Indonesia, mid-20^th century (No. 2015)
• Mala of Buddhist Prayer Beads, early 20^th century (No. 2039)
• Knife and Sheath, Syria, mid-20^th century (No. 2040)
• Brass Tombak or Ewer, Indo-Persian style, late 19^th century (No. 2044)
• Copper Tray and Ladles, Afghanistan, early 20^th century (No. 2064)
• Portrait of Lindgren, Canada, 1945, pencil drawing by Dorothy Philips (No. 2002)