Sharing splendor

Chinese Bronze Age archaeological treasures head for major US exhibition

More than 260 cultural relics from museums in Central China’s Hubei province, including bronzeware, jade items, lacquerware, gold and silk fabrics, are being packed and transported to the United States, all set for an exhibition beginning April 19.

The items will be showcased at the Phoenix Kingdoms: The Last Splendor of China’s Bronze Age exhibition until July at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.

It is set to be the largest presentation of Chinese archaeological treasures in recent years in the US, with many pieces being exhibited overseas for the first time.

The artifacts date back to the Zeng and Chu kingdoms during the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC), a period known for its cultural diversity and the birth of great philosophers like Confucius.

Among the most prominent artifacts are a large bronze wine cooler, a jade pendant carved with dragon and phoenix motifs, and silk clothes embroidered with phoenix patterns.

“Phoenix elements are prominent in Chu culture, while in Western culture, the phoenix is seen as an auspicious bird. By using the phoenix as the theme of the exhibition, we hope to evoke an artistic and aesthetic resonance among Chinese and Western audiences,” said Zhang Xiaoyun, curator of the Hubei Provincial Museum.

The artifacts have been collected from museums in five cities in Hubei and include 50 items under first-class state protection, half of which will be exhibited abroad for the first time.

“It provides new perspectives on the formation of Chinese civilization, particularly in the Yangtze River region,” said Zhang Fan, curator of Chinese Art at AAM.

“We hope more museum exchanges can help enhance cultural understanding between the United States and China.”

Left: Museum employees check and pack bronze artifacts in Suizhou, Hubei province, on Feb 27. Right from top: An artifact is recorded at the Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan on March 4. Employees check a crane with antlers bronze relic at the museum in Wuhan, Hubei province, on March 4. Employees pack bronzeware in Wuhan on March 4. Employees pack a chime bell bronze relic in Suizhou, Hubei, on Feb 27. Employees pack a bronze wine container in Wuhan on March 4. Employees pack artifacts at the Hubei Provincial Museum on March 4.

PHOTOS BY HU JINGWEN AND XIAO YIJIU / XINHUA An employee checks a crane with antlers bronze artifact at the Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan on March 4.