Chinese Precious-stone Carving Artworks Exhibited in Athens

An exhibition featuring 100 Chinese decorative objects dating back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) opened on December 18, 2019.

The works displayed at the exhibition “Chinese Works of Art from the I. and D. Passas Collection” belong to the Foundation of Greek collectors Ioannis and Dimitra Passas.

Made of precious and semi-precious stones, the artworks present the littleknown Chinese art of precious-stone carving to the Greek public.

“It is very important that this exhibition is taking place during a period when the relations between the two countries are at a very high level,” said Greek Culture and Sports Minister Lina Mendoni.

The minister, who attended the opening, said that the Passas collection exhibition can be considered a forerunner of the vast array of cultural events that will take place in the context of the 2021 Sino-greek “Year of Tourism and Culture.”

“In the framework of all our meetings, it became very clear that the Chinese deeply wish to further strengthen ties with Greece in the field of culture. It is a firm belief not only of Chinese officials, but of the people as well, that the Greek and Chinese people are connected by their civilizations,” she said.

The visitors will have the chance to take a closer look at delicate masterpieces depicting heavenly deities, human figures, and mythological animals, elaborate vases, and decorative vessels made of various precious stones and corals.

The exhibition will be running at the Byzantine and Christian Museum of Athens until April 19, 2020.