Precious Imperial Wares - Themed Exhibition of Cultural Relics from Wanli Reign

Co-organized by Hangzhou Linping Museum and Ming Tombs Management Center in Changping District, Beijing under the guidance of Cultural Heritage Bureau of Linping District with the support of AEC, the Precious Imperial Wares - Themed Exhibition of Cultural Relics from Wanli Reign was opened at Hangzhou Linping Museum on April 26, 2023. Sun Xiaobing, the deputy director of AEC, Yao Wei, the deputy director of the Ming Tombs Management Center, Li Jialing, a second-level researcher of the Zhejiang Provincial Bureau of Cultural Heritage, Wang Yanqin, a member of the Standing Committee of the Hangzhou Linping District Committee, and other guests attended the opening ceremony.

Sun Xiaobing said in his address that the late Ming Dynasty is a special era in the long history of China, and the Wanli Reign (1573-1620 AD) is the most remarkable. During this period, the ideology and social customs, as well as literature, art and all kinds of craftsmanship were flourishing with brilliant achievements gained. This exhibition intends to explore and interpret the rich connotation of culture in Ming Dynasty, so that more visitors can understand the history of that period in a more profound manner.

Yao Wei said in his speech that the Ming Tombs provide many cultural objects and monuments, deep cultural connotations and rich historical information, serving as an important base for the promotion of culture of the Ming Dynasty. The exhibition shows the magnificent achievements, colorful history and splendid civilization of the Ming Dynasty in a comprehensive and multi-dimensional way from the aspects of politics, economy, technology, culture and art.

Wang Yanqin pointed out in her speech that the exhibition is not only a promotion and inheritance of the excellent Chinese traditional culture, but also a marvellous cultural visual feast for the general audience, so that the public can sense the profound Chinese culture in the process of historical and cultural nourishment and further enhance cultural strength.

The exhibition brings together nearly 100 pieces from the Ming Tombs Management Center, mainly the unearthed objects of the Dingling Tombs. The exhibits are rich in types, including gold and silver wares, jade wares, porcelain, wood wares and fabrics, as well as palace furnishings, ritual utensils and music instruments, bathroom utensils, food and wine vessels, and ornaments of the emperor and empress. The exhibition is divided into three parts: “The Legacy of the Ming Palace”, “The Magnificent and Colorful Imperial Objects”, and “A Taste of Fine Skills in Different Palace Wares”, which vividly describes the living environment, food and living utensils used by Emperor Wanli and Empress Xiaoduan and Empress Xiaojing, showcasing the imperial living style and palace scene of the Wanli Reign.

The exhibition will be on display until July 25, 2023