Ming: The Golden Empire
Produced by Nomad Exhibitions in association with Nanjing Museum
National Museum of Scotland, Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
27 June to 19 October 2014
With “Ming” signifying brilliance or radiance, this era is regarded as the pride of traditional China. A selection of genuine artefacts from the Nanjing Museum, encompassing Chinese National Treasures, offered insight into the central aspects of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). The focus underscored the notable cultural, technological, and economic triumphs of that time. This globally significant exhibition had its unique showing in the UK.
The exhibition presented luxurious items and rare objects that served as a testament to the affluence and grandeur of the Ming imperial court. Among these were the iconic blue and white porcelain, emblematic of the Ming period, in addition to opulent silk textiles, gold and jade pieces, and rare samples of meticulously enamelled cloisonné.
Art pieces by acclaimed painters laid bare the obsessions of the cultural elite within Ming society, ranging from courtesans to fantasies of liberation from bureaucratic existence. A series of life-size portraits brought forth the faces of the Ming’s learned elite — individuals who stood at the apex of the social structure in the late Ming dynasty.
The Ming era also marked a period of social evolution, resulting in a vibrant consumer culture. A variety of visual arts and handcrafted work flourished. Exquisite furniture, musical instruments, Buddhist artefacts, and personal adornment items evoked the refined tastes and sensibilities of this golden age. The exhibition not only explored the prosperous Ming economy and its impact on societal order and cultural systems during the 16th and 17th centuries, but it also pondered on the enduring influence that the Ming dynasty has imparted on Chinese culture.
Learn more:
National Museums of Scotland. “Ming: The Golden Empire | Past Exhibitions.” 2014, https://www.nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events/past-exhibitions/ming-the-golden-empire/.
Image taken from the exhibition poster, National Museum of Scotland, 2014.