The exhibition Fine Wood: Furniture from the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911) was unveiled at the Liaoning Provincial Museum on Aug 29.
Organized by Prince Kung's Palace Museum and the Liaoning Provincial Museum, it is the first large-scale exhibition of Ming and Qing (1368-1911) furniture treasures from Prince Kung's Palace Museum to be displayed outside of Beijing, and also the first furniture exhibition held in the 75-year history of the Liaoning Provincial Museum.
At the opening ceremony of the exhibition, two dovetail joint plaques, respectively inscribed with the Chinese characters "Jia" (fine) and "Mu" (wood), along with the names of both museums, were symbolically assembled, representing the close collaboration between the two institutions.
This exhibition is the result of a strategic partnership agreement signed in 2023 between the two sides. It features 49 pieces of Ming and Qing furniture from Prince Kung's Palace Museum and seven pieces of study utensils from the Liaoning Provincial Museum.
The core furniture collection on display features pieces primarily made of Chinese rosewood, red sandalwood, and rosewood inlaid with mother-of-pearl, many of which are national first- and second-class cultural relics. Among them, the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Chinese rosewood furniture donated by art historian Gustav Ecke (1896-1971) and his wife Tseng Yu-ho (1924-2017) serves as the national standards for classifying furniture relics.
The exhibition also includes furniture closely tied to the history and culture of Prince Kung's Palace, such as a suanzhi wood bench inlaid with mother-of-pearl and marble, identical in style to the one depicted in an old photograph in which Yixin (Prince Kung) (1833-1898) and his younger brother Yixuan (Prince Chun) (1840-1891) are seated.
These pieces, with diverse designs, high-quality wood, and exquisite craftsmanship, highlight the cultural richness and unique charm of traditional Chinese furniture.
Through four sections, the exhibition showcases wood samples and models of mortise-and-tenon joints complemented with explanatory texts. Chairs, stools, tables, desks, boxes and shelves are also displayed according to their functions, with in-depth cultural interpretations. Additionally, two room vignettes – a Ming-style study and a Qing-style hall – enable visitors to immerse themselves in the refined lifestyle of Ming and Qing literati.
For an enhanced visiting experience, the exhibition adopts an "open display" method, allowing for close, unencumbered viewing of the furniture's artistic beauty, while ensuring the safety of the artifacts. Multiple lectures and interactive activities will also be held during the exhibition, inviting experts and visitors to explore the historical, cultural and artistic value of Ming and Qing furniture.
Chen Xiaowen, deputy director of Prince Kung's Palace Museum, expressed the hope that through this exhibition and its related events, visitors will not only appreciate the artistry of Ming and Qing furniture but also gain a deeper understanding of furniture arrangement, craftsmanship and their cultural significance.
The exhibition will run at the Liaoning Provincial Museum until Nov 29.
