ANCIENT BRONZES FROM NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CHINA COLLECTION TO BE DISPLAYED AT MACAO MUSEUM OF ART

Over 150 ancient bronzes from the collection of the National Museum of China will be showcased in an exhibition held at the Macao Museum of Art (MAM) in Nape from 7 September to 10 November, celebrating the 25th anniversary of Macau’s return to the motherland.

The exhibition’s opening ceremony will take place at 6 pm on 6 September.

Titled “The Splendour of Chinese Bronzes: Masterpieces from the National Museum of China”, the exhibition is jointly organised by Macau’s Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) and the National Museum of China, featuring 28 national first-class artefacts, such as Bronze Nao (musical instruments) with Elephants Design, Zuo Ce Ban Bronze Yan (steamer), Jing Bo Bronze You (ritual vessel), Liu Nian Diao Sheng Bronze Gui (ritual food container) and Shi You Bronze Gui (ritual food container.

Ancient bronzeware is one of China’s most significant cultural heritage treasures that plays a vital role in global art history with its rich categories, unique shapes, elegant patterns, diverse inscriptions, as well as complex smelting and casting techniques, according to IC.

To deepen the public’s understanding of ancient bronzeware, MAM will host the “Lecture of the Bronzeware Exhibition: Structural Characteristics and Cultural Significance of the Design of Tiger Devouring Human that Emerged in the Shang and Zhou Dynasties” on 7 September.

The lecture will be given by Zhai Shengli, vice director of the Exhibitions Department and researcher of the National Museum of China, who will analyse a selection of artefacts with this pattern from the National Museum of China and the relevant research discoveries.

In addition, “The Splendour of Chinese Bronzes – Ancient Chinese Bronzeware Workshop” will also be held on 7 September, instructed by Hao Shuangjun, an educator of the National Museum of China’s Social Education Department. The workshop’s participants will be children aged 7-10, who will learn about the bronzeware casting process and create miniature bronze cauldrons.

The two special activities are free of charge with registration via the “Activity Applications” section of the Macao One Account. Registration deadline is 4 September.

The exhibition is held on the 4th floor of MAM, from 10 am to 7 pm daily, including public holidays, except Mondays. Admission is free. For more information visit MAM’s website. (Gilbert Humphrey)