The master of psychology, Freud, actually collected so many Chinese antiques

Freud was a world-renowned psychologist and originator of psychoanalysis, and although he himself had never been to China, he had a great interest in Chinese antique collections. Starting today, an exhibition called "Freud and China" will take place at the Freud Museum in London, giving people a glimpse into the unknown side of the psychology master.

On Freud's desk, this picture of round eyes and emerald jade screen shows the Chinese style. The jade jade screen is framed on a mahogany carving, with the word "Shou" in the middle and dragon patterns carved on both sides and around it. It is said that he used to sit at his desk and stare at these Chinese antiques, falling into meditation and contemplation. This jade gold brooch was a birthday gift from Freud to his daughter Anna. It is made of emerald and gold, and two jadeite rings, one large and one small, are attached to golden dragons, which are connected to each other by gold needles, which is elegant and chic.

Freud was born in 1856, the Year of the Dragon in China. So, he probably knows the relationship between the "dragons" and his birth year, which may be why he especially likes to collect them.

Curator Davis said: "As you can see [on the desk] is filled with antiques and personal belongings like his cigars and soots, which is where he thinks and works, even in London when he was very old, he continued to do so, continued to write letters and continue to see patients. ”

A native of Austria, Freud came to London with his daughter to seek refuge after Nazi Germany annexed Austria in 1938, and when he arrived with Freud, he also had a collection of more than 2,000 antiques and more than 1,600 books.

In fact, Freud often likened his role as a psychologist and psychoanalyst to an archaeologist. Similar to archaeology, psychology and psychoanalysis, it is also a process of digging layer by layer, approaching the inner step by step. This may also explain Freud's love for Chinese antiques.

(Intern Editor: Qin Yujia)