Treasures from Shanghai:
Ancient Chinese bronzes and jades
30 January – 27 March 2009
Room 2
Admission free
Jades and bronzes have been treasured for centuries as the
essential objects for ritual and burial and thus associated with
spirits and ancestors. Both were also of political significance,
being awarded to nobles for exceptional service and subsequently
collected for both their beauty and associations. On loan from the
Shanghai Museum, this display of sixty spectacular Chinese jades
and bronzes, with a few Neolithic ceramics from the area of
Shanghai will provide an opportunity to enjoy some of the very best
of the many masterpieces of ancient China.
Jade has been central to China's culture from the Neolithic
period; for thousands of years it has been beautifully worked into
mysterious ritual implements - large imposing discs and symbolic
translucent weapons. Jade 'carving' is a laborious and slow
process, as jade cannot be cut with steel or any other metal but
must be ground with gritty sand. Jade objects are therefore highly
prized and have always been used as emblems of power and as potent
messengers to the spirit world. The Neolithic jades on display from
the Shanghai Museum are astonishing, particularly those that
feature fine line designs of strange human-like figures, birds and
monsters with large teeth.
The highpoint of bronze casting came during the Shang
(1500–1050BC) and Zhou (1050–221BC) dynasties. This was also an era
of the rise and development of Chinese urban cities. With the
economic progress, ritual evolved gradually from belief and became
systemized. As the embodiment of ritual, bronze culture thus became
the symbol of the civilization of early urban cities. The Shang is
the earliest dynasty for which we have archaeological remains and
historical texts. Shang rulers believed that if they properly
venerated their ancestors these would intercede in the spirit world
on their behalf and assist in resolving their worldly difficulties
and ensure prosperity. The act of making food and wine offerings in
spectacular bronze containers was a major part of respect for the
ancestors. These bronzes are extraordinary achievements with
elaborate shapes and intriguing ornament.
During the long Zhou period (from their conquest of the Shang in
1050 BC to the succession of the Qin in 221BC) several regional
cultures developed across the landmass of present-day China. Many
different peoples in this vast area gave their own twist to the
strong bronze tradition, deploying bronze vessels, weapons and even
chariots similar to those of the central Zhou state. Vessels were
often flamboyant, inlaid or featuring long inscriptions recording
major political or military events. A sudden Ritual Reform in 850BC
saw a change in ritual practice, with much larger and imposing
vessels now favoured. By the time of the Qin unification of the
many separate states in 221 BC, ritual vessels no longer played the
central role that they had assumed for so many centuries, although
bronze remained highly valued for many other purposes including
incense burners, lamps and highly decorated belt ornaments and
weapons.
Guest curator of the exhibition Professor Dame Jessica Rawson
said: "Shanghai Museum houses one of the world's greatest
collections of Chinese Art. This exhibition brings to London pieces
of superlative quality rarely seen outside China itself."
Exhibition co-organised by the Shanghai Museum and the British
Museum with the guidance of the Chinese Embassy in the UK.
Sponsored by the Information Office of Shanghai Municipal People's
Government, Foreign Affairs Office of Shanghai Municipal People's
Government and Bureau of China World Expo Coordination.
The exhibition forms part of Shanghai Week.
For further information or images please contact Communications
on 020 7323 8522 / 8583 or communications@britishmuseum.org
Notes to editors:
- Treasures from Shanghai: Ancient Chinese Bronzes and
Jades, edited by Jessica Rawson is published by British Museum
Press, priced £16.99
- The exhibition Treasures from Shanghai: Ancient
Chinese Bronzes and Jades is part of Shanghai
Week 2009 which includes a series of events in London from 29
January. Shanghai Week aims to raise awareness of the city’s
heritage and its preparation for the World Expo which takes place
in 2010. For details of Shanghai Week visit www.visitlondon.com/China
- Shanghai Week is organised by:
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the UK
Shanghai Municipal People's Government
Mayor of London