CHINA’S IMMORTAL ARMY INVADES
The riches and wonders of the Qin Dynasty are currently on display in a special exhibition at the National Museum Bangkok
After resting underneath Lishan Mountain in Xi’an for more than 2,000 years, the unearthed Terracotta Army has just invaded Thailand as part of the touring exhibition “Qin Shi Huang: The First Emperor Of China And Terracotta Warriors”, on view at the National Museum Bangkok until Dec 15.
In Siwamokkhaphiman Hall, the setting for this extraordinary collection, visitors will be confronted by four full-size earthen soldiers and 133 ancient relics, ranging from bronze weapons, pottery, amulets and agricultural tools to musical instruments, mostly made for the holy burial site to escort Qin Shi Huang on his divine pilgrimage. The collection is a testament to the glory of the Qin Dynasty.
“We spent no less than 60 million baht bringing this exhibition to Thailand,” said Nitaya Kanokmongkol, director of the National Museum’s Fine Arts Department. “It has travelled to major cities around the world. There are three touring collections to choose from [A, B or C] displaying different artefacts, depending on budget. Here, we have the B series, with four terracotta soldiers and a bronze chariot replica, plus more than 100 artefacts from 14 leading museums in China.
“It took several days to transport all the pieces from Xi’an to Bangkok. The temperature and humidity had to be controlled to maintain their condition.”
The Bangkok exhibition is divided into four zones, allowing visitors to learn about the history of China around the time it was first unified, as well as learn more about Qin Shi Huang and the Silk Road of the Han Dynasty.
Travelling back to the days when China was divided into seven kingdoms, the first zone, “The Eastern Zhou Period (Before The Qin Empire)”, gives visitors a chance to see how the people of the time developed the technology of bronze casting to produce stronger weapons, musical instruments, vessels and coins.
“The Zhou dynasty had a thriving arts and culture scene. With advanced technology, people developed multi-functional dagger-axes and horse carriages to help their army move faster. In daily life, earthenware was also replaced by durable bronze utensils,” said curator Pornsiri Lertsathienchai.
On display is an ancient bronze mould for Banliang coins made between 475 and 221 BC, a bronze wine container with a lid in the shape of
a phoenix, refined belt hooks made from bronze and seashells, gilded door knockers fashioned out of gold and jade, and a golden tiger ornament.
The next zone, “Qin Empire: Unification And The Birth Of China”, shows how the first emperor conquered the seven kingdoms and created a centralised administrative system. As part of his efforts to bring together the empire’s different languages and cultures, Qin Shi Huang established standardised measurements of length, weight and width, a monetary system and a unified Chinese script.
“To connect all seven states, Qin Shi Huang constructed a 6,000km-long road network, irrigation canals, bridges and an embankment system in expanding agricultural area. He also started building the Great Wall of China to prevent a Mongol invasion,” said Apiradee Pichitwittaya, one of several curators of the exhibition.
“During the Qin Dynasty, bronze casting technology was used in developing such advanced weapons as mechanical crossbow triggers and arrows that everyone could learn to shoot in just three days. These were much easier to use than traditional wood crossbows, which required a year’s training to master.”
To showcase the innovation and craftsmanship of the period, the room is lined with an imperial edict tablet regarding the new measurements, a 30-jin (15kg) bronze weight, a leaf-shaped architectural ornament and a smart crossbow with arrow.
The next room’s exhibit, “The Terracotta Army: Its Discovery And Mystery”, sheds light on the story of Qin Shi Huang’s truncated pyramid-like mausoleum, which was unearthed in 1974 and designated a World Heritage Site in 1987.
According to a description written by historian Sima Qian, construction of the mausoleum complex started in 246 BC, after Qin Shi Huang ascended to the throne at age 13. The tomb was designed to resemble the ancient capital of Xianyang, so that the emperor could continue his rule in the afterlife.
Spread over 800km², it is home to more than 900 pits, with over 8,000 terracotta warriors and horses, and the satellite tombs of princes and princesses, concubines and government officials.
“According to Sima Qian, Qin Shi Huang might have linked his underground cemetery complex with a mercury mound network to lead the way to immortality. Mercury was deemed to be the elixir of life” Nitaya explained.
“Initially, the clay sculptures were vividly painted but the colours faded within minutes of the tomb being opened in 1974.”
A replica of the original, which was made between 221 and 206 BC, the bronze enclosed chariot driven by a terracotta warrior and four horses is especially eye-catching, not least because it is probably a rendering of the one used by the emperor himself.
There is also a squad featuring a kneeling armoured archer, general, soldier and infantryman with a cavalry horse. On the other side of the room is a suit of armour featuring more than 400 pieces of limestone, fastened together using copper strips.
“Construction of Qin Shi Huang’s mausoleum required a workforce of 700,000 men. All the antique pieces come from three pits that were discovered outside Xianyang. The original chariot is only displayed in China. During the tour, visitors will see a replica chariot with four horses wearing bridles adorned with silver and gold studs,” said curator Dunagjai Pichitnarongchai.
“As for the terracotta warriors, each one has different facial features and hair, with different uniforms indicating rank. During the Qin Dynasty, various materials were used to create suits of armour, like leather, stone and bronze, depending on status.”
The final zone, “The Prosperous Empire Of The Han”, is devoted to a wide range of artefacts representing Chinese traditions, military technology, trade and cultural exchange. Visitors can observe how the Han Dynasty adopted the cultural legacy of the Qin period.
During the Han period, glazed earthenware became popular. On display are some exquisite examples of the craftsmanship of the era, such as a gilded wine container with a lid in the shape of a garlic bulb, a cocoon-shaped vessel, a wine jar decorated with hunting scenes and a wine container with a cylindrical body and three legs.
“Emperor Han Wudi set up the Silk Road to connect China with Persia, Southeast Asia, East Africa and Southern Europe. As a result, we see more evidence of cultural influence from the West. For example, there’s a beautiful figure of a housemaid wearing a luxury dress with layered sleeves in the Persian fashion. There’s also a sculpture of an Arabian man riding a horse and gold plates,” said curator Chutharat Chuachin.
Also on display is a gilded silver seal with tortoise knob, bronze tiger-like weight and other pieces from the Han Yang Ling Mausoleum in Xianyang. Smaller in scale and more simple in design, this graveyard complex was built for Emperor Jing and his Empress Wang, with more than 50,000 miniature terracotta figures.
“Influenced by the Qin Dynasty, the Han Yang Ling Mausoleum also pursued immortality but the figures were smaller in size. During the Han Dynasty, jade amulets were believed to be auspicious, giving the spirit immortality and protecting the wearer from evil,” said curator Watcharaporn Maturakan. “Qin Shi Huang: The First Emperor Of China And Terracotta Warriors” runs until Dec 15 at Siwamokkhaphiman Hall in the National Museum Bangkok. It’s open from 9am to 4pm, Wednesday to Sunday. Admission is 30 baht for Thais and 200 baht for foreigners. For more information, call 02-224-1333.