Walk | 03.10 The Making of the Middle Kingdom
The Making of the Middle Kingdom - Second Walk
Walk 02, 2022
On 22nd February, 15 friends of the Courtyard Institute, old and new, had our first walk to the Making of Zhongguo Exhibition at Wenhua Dian (The Hall of Literary Brilliance) of the Palace Museum.
The visit experience was wonderful, and the follow discussion in front of the Wen Yuan Ge Imperial Library was fruitful.
Encouraged by the positive feedbacks, we are launching our second visit on 10th March (Thursday), so if you have missed our first walk, please join us this time.
The name of this exhibition is called “The Making of Zhongguo (The Middle Kingdom)”.
As the name indicates, this exhibition has on display over 130 pieces (sets) of antiques from over 29 museums across China, and tries to help us explore the origins, developments and achievements of the Chinese civilization.
Indeed, a lot of our questions will be answered, or at least partially, by this exhibition, for example, “why is China called the Middle Kingdom and when was it first used?”
He Zun: A Ritual Bronze Vessel of
the Zun Shape
(Photo Credit: Palace Museum Beijing）
He Zun is a ritual bronze vessel cast in early Zhou Dynasty, and it is known as the earliest artifact with the inscription meaning “Middle Kingdom” on the interior surface of this mental container. More importantly, it has clearly dated the making of vessel, which is the 5th year of the reign of King Cheng of Zhou, or 1038 BCE.
Although He Zun has such a historical significance, it was almost destroyed because of its owner’s ignorance. In 1963, it was accidentally discovered by a local farmer in western Shaanxi Province who was trying to renovate his farm house. Without realizing its importance, he sold it to the local recycling center two years later. Luckily, a local museum staff walked past this vessel, and was caught by its unique carvings and patterns. This museum staff’s name should be memorized by all, as he saved a very important piece of history of China. His name is: Tong Taifang (佟太放).
Inscriptions on the interior surface of He Zun, the four characters highlighted meaning “resides in a kingdom in the middle of the whole world”
(Photo Credit: Baoji Museum, Shaanxi)
A Jade Dragon from Hongshan Culture
(Photo Credit: Palace Museum, Beijing)
Hongshan Culture flourished for about two thousand years between 47th to 29th century BCE. This culture covered a huge area from south Mongolian plateau to northern China plain. The Jade Dragon is obviously a very important utensil for the shamans to communicate with the supernatural powers, as it was found in quite a few archaeological sites. This type of dragon is also considered one of the earliest images of Chinese Dragon.
Other than the name of Zhongguo and the origin of Chinese totem Dragon, this exhibition also explores the influence of other cultures during the development phase of Chinese culture through trade and culture exchange.
A Six Pedal Flower Shaped Gold Cup with Patterns of Hunting Scene, Tang Dynasty
(Photo Credit: Palace Museum, Beijing)
In Tang Dynasty, goldwares were extensively used among aristocrats and senior government officials, but because gold was still rather limited in its supply, so it was not used for commoners, even if they were rich merchants. This gold cup was unique because it reflects the influence of the Sogdians, who were a dominating trade people along the Silk Road with an Iranian origin. A perfect example of cultural exchange between east and west.
A Eastern Han Dynasty (25 -220 CE) Brocade Armband discovered in Niya Ruins in Xinjiang, 1995.
(Photo Credit: Internet)
Niya Ruins was first discovered by Marc Aurel Stein in 1901, and this new excavation in 1995 had unearthed a major discovery - the tomb of a king of the ancient Jingjue Kingdom.
One of the most delicate discoveries from this tomb is an armband made from top quality brocade, with eight embroidery Chinese characters, 五星出东方利中国, meaning when five stars aligned in the eastern sky, it would be an auspicious omen for the Middle Kingdom.
A Yuan Dynasty (1271 – 1368 CE) Cloisonne Enamel Filling Bronzeware with Possible Origin from the Arabic Empires
(Photo Credit: Palace Museum, Beijing)
We will prepare another weekend walk later, and hope you will have time to join one of our walks.
Essential Information about This Walk
Date：10th March, 2022 (Thursday)
Time：10:00 am -12:00 pm
Language: English
Places: Total 15 places available.
Meeting Point: East Gate of the Palace Museum
Cost: RMB350 /Person (includes the PM admission ticket)
Deadline: 2nd March (exhibition tickets extremely limited, please register as soon as you can)
How to Register？
Scan OR Code to register
Or click the link at the end of the article
About the Speaker
Matthew Hu was born and raised in Beijing. He is the founder of The Courtyard Institute, and he has a keen interest in the history and mystery of China. Previously he worked as Managing Director of Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center (CHP), China Representative of The Prince's Charities Foundation (China) and was deeply involved with the Shijia Hutong Museum in Beijing.
About the Courtyard Institute
& Walk n Talk
The Courtyard Institute was founded in 2014 by a few Chinese friends who are dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Chinese culture through talks, walks, salons and creative events.
We are located in a beautiful courtyard house near the north gate of the Palace Museum, where we host most of our events.
Walk n Talk is new series of English programs we kicked off in 2021, aiming at building bridges for international friends to appreciate the charm of Chinese culture.
Venue Hire, or General Questions,
please contact our TCI Assistant
8404-8242 / 156-5244-1600
Our next walk will take you to an exhibition at the Beijing Municipal Archives Exhibition Center, Old Beijing in Archives, and date will be 13th March (Sunday). More details to follow soon.
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