An exhibition highlighting the passion for artworks of the Qing dynasty’s Qianlong Emperor and the advanced storage methods adopted during his 1735-1795 reign kicked off Dec. 7 at National Palace Museum in Taipei City.
“Story of a Brand Name—the Collection and Packaging Aesthetics of the Qing Emperor Qianlong” runs through March 7, 2018, and features collections of calligraphy, ornaments, rare books and the emperor’s custom-made artwork containers.
According to NPM, the exhibition examines the ruler’s exquisite collections and storage measures from the modern context of brand creation and identity, offering visitors a unique perspective on the priceless antiquities.
NPM Director Lin Jeng-yi said the exhibition spotlights the institution’s new approach to strengthening its profile at home and abroad. Through examining its ancient treasures from contemporary perspectives, the museum aims to bolster recognition of its collections internationally while fostering fresh appreciation and perceptions of the antiquities among local visitors, he added.
The exhibition comprises four main sections. “Open the Treasure Box” highlights the diversity of artworks in the Qianlong Emperor’s collections by studying the 44 pieces contained in his curio box.
“Beloved Antiques” reviews historical research from his reign through displays of antiquities collected and studied by his court as well as books and scrolls handwritten by the emperor. “Adored Precious” showcases customized storage containers and introduces various preservation methods developed during the period such as binding and reframing techniques.
The final section, “The Brand of Qianlong,” explores the emperor’s desire to foster a connection with the artifacts in his collections through such measures as securing scrolls with identical custom-made ties and stamping his seal on artworks and their duplications.
Established in 1965, NPM is home to the world’s largest collection of Chinese imperial art, boasting 650,000 antiquities spanning 7,000 years from the prehistoric Neolithic period to the end of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). (CPY-E)
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The Qianlong Emperor’s square red sandalwood curio box and the artifacts contained within are examined in the “Open the Treasure Box” section of the exhibition. (Courtesy of NPM)
Dating from the Spring and Autumn period (770-476 B.C.), the Zhutaizai bell is enclosed in a red sandalwood frame that was made during the Qianlong Emperor’s reign and features handwritten inscriptions by the ruler and his courtiers. (Courtesy of NPM)
A blue glaze vase with bat-shaped handles and white plum-blossom decoration is among the priceless treasures showcased in the “Adored Precious” portion of the exhibition. (Courtesy of NPM)