National Museum of China
The year of 2024 marks the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland. On this occasion, the National Museum of China and the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government have coorganised The Splendour of Chinese Bronzes: Masterpieces from the National Museum of China. The exhibition presents a unique opportunity to showcase the essence of ancient cultural relics, promote the excellent traditional Chinese culture, and encourage people from all over the country to form strong bonds, exchange ideas and support each other. Together, we jointly advance China’s modernisation and build a prosperous future.
Bronzeware has played an immensely significant role in the history of human civilisation. The production, circulation and use of early bronzeware left a profound impact on ancient societies in both the East and the West. China’s Bronze Age began around the 19th century BC, spanning the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties and remarkably lasting for fifteen centuries. Its brilliance was still visible even during the Qin and Han dynasties. Alongside the advancement of copper smelting and bronzeware manufacturing techniques, as well as the development of ritual and music civilisation during these three dynasties, bronzeware gradually became an important embodiment of ancient Chinese society and left a profound impact on the historical evolution of Chinese civilisation. During the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties, bronze ritual vessels were widely used in sacrificial ceremonies, banquets, court visits and alliance meetings – imbued with special ritual, cultural, hierarchical and religious attributes. They evolved into symbols of ancient political regimes, which were hailed as the nation’s most precious treasures. The ritual and cultural characteristics of bronzeware have forged the distinctive cultural character and artistic style of China’s Bronze Age, leaving an indelible spiritual imprint on traditional Chinese culture.
The National Museum of China possesses a rich collection of ancient Chinese bronzeware. This exhibition reveals the museum’s time-honoured collection, spanning an extensive period and featuring a broad array of categories and shapes on a large scale. It systematically showcases the developmental history of bronzeware through its visual artistry, decoration and pattern, inscription and calligraphy, technical skill, and corrosion representation. Featuring national treasures such as Bronze Nao (musical instrument) with Elephants Design, ‘Zuo Ce Ban’ Bronze Yan (steamer), ‘Jing Bo’ Bronze You (ritual vessel), ‘Liu Nian Diao Sheng’ Bronze Gui (ritual food container) and ‘Shi You’ Bronze Gui (ritual food container), the exhibition provides audiences with a window to better understand the development of early Chinese civilisation, as well as the profound connotations and significant characteristics of Chinese culture.
Gao Zheng
Director of the National Museum of China