Chance to get close to terracotta warriors
It comes with a $2.6 million price tag but an exhibition of Chinese terracotta warriors will be a once-in-a-generation opportunity say Te Papa bosses.
The exhibition, called Terracotta Warriors: Guardians Of Immortality, will be open to the paying public from December 15 until April 22, 2019.
Ten of the 2300-year-old treasures from the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, will be accompanied by a collection of about 160 extravagant artefacts from imperial tombs in and around China’s ancient capital, Xi’an.
The major exhibition has cost $2.6 million to mount but, as the objects are priceless, Te Papa curator Rebecca Rice could not put a figure on its worth.
Te Papa’s exhibition will have two life-size horses and eight fullsize terracotta figures, including an armoured general, a kneeling archer, an unarmoured infantryman and a civil official.
There will also be two half-size replica bronze chariots; each drawn by four horses and ancient Chinese art crafted from gold, jade and bronze that date from 1046 BC-220 AD.
Rice visited the First Emperor’s mausoleum in Xi’an to help create the Wellington exhibition. She said that site astounded her and the resulting exhibition would do no less for its visitors.
She said the mystery surrounding the army, buried 1.5km from the emperor’s tomb was thrilling. ‘‘People knew about the tomb where the emperor was buried. They knew the stories about the rivers of mercury and the lanterns with whale oil that would burn for eternity. But nothing was ever recorded in historical accounts about the underground army.’’
With a set of the warriors restored to a level safe to tour, the original archaeological figures could be scrutinised from close up, she added.
‘‘The exhibition, you really get the chance to get up close. Look at the detail and appreciate the individuality of the figures, the crafting of their clothes, the draping, the hairstyles, and the tread on the sole of the foot of the kneeling archer.
‘‘It’s all you really want to do is soak up the details and think then, that they were made 2300 years ago.’’
The underground army was discovered when a farmer digging a well turned over pieces of terracotta in 1974, reporting the find to local authorities.
An archaeologist jumped on his bike and rode out to the site where he began to excavate to reveal the life-size, life-like soldiers, each weighing up to 300kg.
An estimated 8000 soldiers exist but just 3000 have been excavated.
Originally painted with bright pigments, they vary in height, uniform and hairstyle in accordance with their rank.
Te Papa chief executive Geraint Martin said the exhibition gave New Zealanders who might not otherwise be able to see the unique items a chance to do so. The museum expected 100,000 people to visit the exhibition, possibly generating as much as $33m, he added.
The exhibition aligns with the 2019 China-New Zealand Year Of Tourism.
Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis said the Government’s $500,000 toward the display would help build cultural understanding and attract high-value visitors to the country.
‘‘More than that, pulling together the exhibition and other events throughout the year is enabling local and central government to enhance all-important diplomatic and trade relationships with China.’’
Terracotta Warriors: Guardians Of Immortality exhibition tickets go on sale in October: Adult $19.50; child 3 to 15 years $9; concession $17. To register your interest or for more information, visit Te Papa’s website.