(Source: The Korea Times)

October 26, 2008

By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter (The Korea Times)

Splendid and sophisticated Chinese artworks and relics used by the imperial households of the Qing Dynasty have been unveiled for the first time in Korea.

The Gyeonggi Provincial Museum is holding a special exhibition of Chinese imperial treasures from Shenyang Palace Museum as part of cultural exchanges between the two institutes.

The museum said that it is the first time that dresses, ornaments, weapons and other craftworks used by the imperial families in the Qing Dynasty have been shown in Korea, although previously, porcelains and paintings from Qing Dynasty have been shown here.

The exhibit displays some 70 pieces of imperial items manufactured in the reigns of Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong, when cultural prosperity peaked in Chinese history.

The exhibit is part of cultural exchanges between the two museums. The Shenyang Palace Museum will also hold a special exhibition to display Korean historical relics from the Gyeonggi Provincial Museum in May next year.

The exhibit consists of six parts ¢®¨£ Porcelain of the Imperial Household of the Qing Dynasty; Paintings and Calligraphies of the Ming and Qing Dynasty; Imperial Household Supplies of the Qing Dynasty; Weapons of the Qing Dynasty; Costumes of the Imperial Household of the Qing Dynasty; and Tableware of the Imperial Household of the Qing Dynasty.

The first section “Porcelain of the Imperial Household of the Qing Dynasty” shows porcelain that presents the development of ancient material civilization in China, which was the world center of porcelain production due to its variety, quantity, delicacy and exquisiteness of craftwork.

The Shenyang museum contains a great volume of Qing porcelain of outstanding quality and they are all masterpieces made in Jingdezhen and Jiangxi. Jingdezhen was home to porcelain production only for the Imperial Household of the Qing Dynasty. The government official who controlled the kiln was chosen by the emperor himself, and the porcelain produced there was respected because of its splendor and sophistication.

The second section, titled “Paintings and Calligraphies of the Ming and Qing Dynasty,” displays artworks from the imperial families of the Shenyang museum.

The paintings of the early period of Qing Dynasty were led by the four Wangs ¢®¨£ Wang Shimin, Wang Jian, Wang Hui, and Wang Yuanqi, which were the orthodox faction, sponsored by the Imperial Household. Their objective was to imitate old paintings.

On the other hand, in the southern part, there were the artists against the orthodox faction. They did not cooperate with the rulers and rather, emphasized individual character.

The third part of the exhibit, “Imperial Household Supplies of the Qing Dynasty,” includes items such as the emperor’s parade implements, court instruments, court sacrificial rite supplies, court decorations, furniture, tableware, writing materials, and the clothes and ornaments of the empress and royal concubines.

During the reigns of the Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong Emperors, China was at the zenith of its prosperity, leading the imperial families to the highest state of luxury, the museum said.

Especially for the emperor, supplies were manufactured to his taste, with luxurious materials, sophisticated skills, and magnificent design, which hold not only the value of practical usage, but also artistic value.

Most of the tableware introduced at this exhibition is made of gold and silver. The brazier, various tableware and vessels show the characteristics of the Manchu.

The fourth section, “Weapons of the Qing Dynasty,” showcases the main weapons of the Qing Dynasty, such as bows, spears, sabers, gunpowder, and guns.

The fifth part of the exhibit “Costume of the Imperial Household of the Qing Dynasty” introduces the Qing Dynasty’s costume culture, which featured strict rules.

The emperors established their official uniform system from the late Jin Dynasty and when Qianlong Emperor reigned, the costume system was at its height. .

The costume of the emperor was separated into clothes for summer and winter, according to purpose. The ceremonial costumes of the court were decorated with various silk, peacock feathers, gold thread, and beads.

The last section “Tableware of the Imperial Household of the Qing Dynasty” shows off the splendor and nobility of the court with delicious food and fantastic vessels.

The tableware used at the court was made with precious materials, such as gold, silver, bone, lacquer, and porcelain.

The items used in court were made from the finest materials from all over the country and were created under the command of the officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs. For example, even appliances for washing the queen’s face had various characteristics, highlighting the wealthy life of the Imperial Household.

The exhibition will continue until Feb. 1 next year. For more information, call (031) 288-5400.

chungay@koreatimes.co.kr

URL: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/10/148_33295.html