THE BRITISH MUSEUM CHINA SECTION WALKING TOUR

The British Museum's China section boasts a vast collection of around 23,000 objects, covering 7,000 years of history from Neolithic times to the present, featuring stunning ceramics (especially Song dynasty), jades, bronzes, paintings, textiles, and lacquerware, all housed in the Sir Joseph Hotung Gallery (Room 33), with highlights like Tang dynasty tomb figures, Ming porcelain, rare Dunhuang Buddhist paintings, and items from the looted Summer Palace, reflecting complex interactions with China through trade, diplomacy, and conflict.
Key Aspects & Highlights:
Vast Scope: The collection spans millennia, showcasing Chinese art, culture, and innovation from early civilizations to the modern era.
Sir Joseph Hotung Gallery (Room 33): This dedicated space explores themes like writing, ritual, trade, and beliefs, featuring Tang tomb figures and Ming porcelain.
Ceramics: A world-class collection, including rare Song dynasty Ru ware, Ming blue-and-white porcelain, and exquisite Doucai "Chicken Cups".
Jade: An extensive display of jade objects, from ancient ceremonial blades to intricate contemporary pieces, largely from the Hotung collection.
Paintings & Manuscripts: Rare Buddhist paintings from Dunhuang and other silk paintings are significant treasures.
Summer Palace Loot: Includes remnants like glazed architectural pieces taken during the 1860 looting, alongside personal items like the Pekingese dog "Looty".
'China's Hidden Century' Exhibition: A major past exhibit focused on 19th-century Qing China, highlighting creativity amidst turmoil, featuring imperial robes, furniture, and revolutionary figures like Qiu Jin.
Coins: A large collection of Chinese coins is housed within the Department of Coins and Medals.
Themes & Significance:
Cultural Exchange: The collection tells stories of diplomatic ties, scholarly interest, and artistic exchange between Britain and China.
Ethical Debates: The origins of many artifacts, particularly those from conflicts like the Second Opium War, fuel ongoing discussions about cultural heritage repatriation.
In essence, the British Museum's China section offers an unparalleled journey through Chinese history, art, and culture, albeit one intertwined with complex colonial histories, featuring some of the world's finest examples of Chinese craftsmanship



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