Archive for the ‘Shanghai Museum’ Category
Calligraphic Manuscript of Chunhua Pavilion is Chinese oldest comprehensive book specialized in collecting the calligraphic masterpieces of different dynasties before Song Dynasty, roughly from the time before Qin Dynasty to Tang Dynasty. The content is comprised of many famous artworks of calligraphists, emperors and officials. In total, there are 420 calligraphic artworks created by 103 historic figures. In its first volume, 19 emperors’ calligraphic works were covered.
Qi Gong as the modern Chinese most famous calligrapher who passed away in 2005 once highly spoke of the repurchasing of Calligraphic Manuscript of Chunhua Pavilion from the United States and commented it as the most magnificent and successful exchange in Chinese modern overseas exchange history.
Shanghai Museum spent a great fortune, in total 4.5 million US dollars in repurchasing Callgiraphic Manuscript of Chunhua Pavilion, the earliest integrated book on calligraphic manuscripts originally edited in Song Dynasty of China, from the United States. At the time, the price of this manuscript boasting Chinese First Calligraphic Manuscript in 2000 inferior to 44.04 million Hong Kong Dollar, the exchange price of Porcelain of Ming Dynasty named Five-Color Pot with Fish and Alga Grains(五彩鱼藻纹盖罐) currently is ranked the runner-up among the exchange prices of Chinese cultural antiques and treasures in global community.
The original edition of Callgiraphic Manuscript of Chunhua Pavilion has more than 1000 years of history. It is qualified to be the forefather of Chinese calligraphic artworks.
Calligraphic Manuscript of Chunhua Pavilion, the forefather of Chinese calligraphy
Calligraphic Manuscript of Chunhua Pavilion, the forefather of Chinese calligraphy
Calligraphic Manuscript of Chunhua Pavilion, the forefather of Chinese calligraphy
This bell set as the national treasured collected in Shanghai Museum is the typical ancient musical instrument of China. During the reign of King Zhouliwang in West Zhou Dynasty (BC1046-BC771), Bell set or Bianzhong as the bronze-made musical instrument was finally formed and used. This bell set is comprised of the diversity of sizes of bells. The large one is 52 centimeters high and the small one 22 centimeters high. Besides, on the surfaces of the bell, many regular characters can be clearly recognized. In total, there are 355 inscribed Chinese characters. The inscribed characters vividly are all carved with sharp knives. The content of the characters recorded a war process that in 846, Marquis Su was ordered to combat Suyi.
In September, 1992, the staff of Shanghai Museum randomly discovered this set of bells in Hong Kong Antique Market. In 1993, two parts of small-sized bell sets remained in Marquis Mausoleum of Jin Kingdom in Shanxi province were unearthed. Later, the archeological experts made sure the former bells and the latter discoveries were both from the same tomb. There are in total 16 bells.
Bell Set(Bian Zhong)of Marquis Su of Jin Kingdom(晋侯苏编钟) in Shanghai Museum