Prince Kung's Palace Museum opened its annual goldfish exhibition on Sept 10. Now in its fourth consecutive year, the exhibition is introducing an innovative breakthrough with immersive displays that recreate cultural scenes featuring goldfish.
Set in the courtyards of the East Sector 2 and Duofu Belvedere, the exhibition showcases dozens of traditional fish-keeping vessels such as wooden tanks and clay basins, housing more than 600 imperial court goldfish of over 50 species. These "treasures of the water" dazzle visitors with their brilliant colors and diverse forms.
The side halls of the East Sector 2 recreate the furnishings of studies and reception rooms during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), interspersed with goldfish basins and goldfish-themed paintings, evoking the refined pastime of admiring goldfish in a classical setting. A miniature reconstruction of the fish cellar, a kind of rockery-shaped structure used as fish shelter in the Qing imperial gardens, further illustrates ancient ingenuity in caring for goldfish against scorching summer as well as freezing winter.
Highlights also include two ingenious reproductions reflecting superb craftsmanship: the square fish table to seat eight people (Baxian Yuzhuo), with a built-in glass aquarium beneath a double-layer glass tabletop, and the amber fish table (Hupo Yuzhuo), where drawers function as hidden tanks. The amber fish table creates a scenario where red goldfish and green aquatic plants appear to float in midair.
Goldfish have been cherished for both beauty and auspicious symbolism, conveying wishes such as "abundance year after year" and "halls being filled with gold and jade". This exhibition offers visitors a unique cultural experience of admiring the charm of imperial court goldfish in the historical setting of a Qing Dynasty princely residence, and sharing in the joy.
Co-organized with the Beijing Aquatic Product Technology Promotion Department, the exhibition will run until Sept 23, 2025.
京公网安备11010202010962
