British Museum Features 'Golden Age' Of Ming China

Contributed by James Brooks, AP

In this Monday, Sept. 15, 2014 photo, a gilded bronze sculptures of the Avalokitesvara, the enlightened being destined for Buddhanhood most often worshipped in China, is seen at an exhibition entitled 'Ming 50 years that changed China' in British Museum in central London. Between AD 1400 and 1450, China was a global superpower run by one family – the Ming dynasty – who established Beijing as the capital and built the Forbidden City. The exhibition, running from Sept. 18, 2014 to Jan 5, 2015, will feature a range of these spectacular objects – including exquisite porcelain, gold, jewellery, furniture, paintings, sculptures and textiles – from museums across China and the rest of the world. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

 Intricate, inventive and ahead of their time - and that's just the vases. London's British Museum will open a major new exhibition on Thursday exploring the rich art and global influences of China's Ming era in the 15th century.

Some 280 objects from the years 1400 to 1450 will be featured, from bejeweled gold vessels and gilded-bronze Buddhist figures to a 9-meter- (30-foot)-long scroll painted on bamboo.

"This early 15th century is a moment when you can actually bring all these things together and have a snapshot of what it was like to be in China" in that period, said the exhibition's co-curator Jessica Harrison-Hall. That's before Columbus was even born, she added.

The exhibition looks at China's culture, government and place in the world in the early Ming Dynasty, described as a "pivotal 50 year period" for the country. It was during this time that China's capital moved from Nanjing to Beijing, with the Forbidden City at its heart. The vast palace is still a national symbol to this day.

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The period also saw Chinese treasure ships exploring the seas, creating trade links spanning Kyoto in Japan to Mogadishu in Somalia.

That international status created a flow of visitors to the state, bringing new goods and ideas, and influencing everything, including the Ming dynasty's famed porcelain production.

The exhibition displays a collection of elaborate and grand porcelain shapes inspired by Middle Eastern candle sticks, made from central Asian jade and glass from Syria.

"The international contacts are effectively reflected in the porcelain of the period," said Harrison-Hall.

The exhibition - which was five years in the making - is part of new research efforts to shed light on early 15th-century China on the international stage.

While older accounts focus on the early 1500s, when Portuguese and Spanish vessels began trading directly with China, the exhibition shows the wealth of China's international reach around 100 years prior.

"Ming: 50 Years that changed China" will run at London's British Museum through Jan. 5, 2015.

Travelore Tips: The Top 10 Museum Exhibitions In London

Many of London's museums are free to enter, but they also offer a wide range of temporary paid-for exhibitions. Don't miss these fantastic London museum exhibitions as selected by our editorial team. 

Vikings: Life And Legend

The British Museum comes under invasion from the dreaded Vikings as it stages the first exhibition about the warriors in more than 30 years. Alongside the treasures that illustrate their raider and trader lifestyles, the centrepiece and highlight of the exhibition is a 37-metre-long Viking warship.6 Mar-22 Jun

Designs of the Year 2014

Hosted by the Design Museum, this prestigious contest looks to find the greatest efforts from the vast world of creative design. Covering various categories, efforts include creations from the worlds of architecture, digital, fashion, furniture, graphics, transport and product. 26 Mar-22 Jun

Britain: One Million Years

Britain: One Million Years of the Human Story is the fascinating  exhibition at the Natural History Museum. Going back to the Swanscombe skull (from the earliest known Neanderthal in Britain) and the Clacton spear (the oldest wooden spear in the world), visitors are taken back in time with some amazing objects from Britain's past. 13 Feb-29 Sep

The Glamour of Italian Fashion

A showcase of Italian fashion since 1945 at theVictoria and Albert Museum in Kensington, including gemstone designs once owned by actorElizabeth Taylor. Visitors can examine the craftsmanship and luxurious materials that have made Italy a leader in couture and fine tailoring. 5 Apr-27 Jul

Mammoths: Ice Age Giants

Go on an inspiring journey through the life of one of the largest creatures ever to walk Earth withMammoths: Ice Age Giants at the Natural History Museum. Combining cutting-edge science, original skeletons and life-sized models, this is a chance for a close encounter with a long dead species. 23 May-7 Sep

Ancient Lives, New Discoveries

People from the distant past are brought to life in this fascinating exhibition which introduces visitors to eight people from ancient Egypt and Sudan. Their remains have been miraculously preserved, either from natural processes or careful embalming, ready for their encounter with the 21st Century. 22 May-30 Nov

Sensational Butterflies

Sensational Butterflies is the new interactive exhibition at the Natural History Museum. Visitors can take a stroll among hundreds of the colourful creatures, becoming involved in an exhibition in new and exciting ways. 3 Apr-15 Sep

Bond in Motion

Bond in Motion is the largest collection of official James Bond vehicles to ever be displayed in London. The exhibition includes models, production art, props and iconic vehicles including the white Lotus Esprit/submarine from The Spy Who Loved Me and ‘Little Nellie’ from You Only Live Twice. 21 Mar-31 Dec

Wedding Dresses 1775-2014

A detailed history of the white wedding dress, from the 18th century to the modern day at the Victoria and Albert Museum. On display are some of the most romantic and extravagant examples from the museum’s vast collection. Among them is work by important designers such as Vivienne Westwood and John Galliano. 3 May-15 Mar.

Hello, My Name is Paul Smith

Explore the creative world of Paul Smith at London's Design Museum. This unique exhibition traces the designer's career from small beginnings in Nottingham to international prominence today.15 


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London's Museums And Galleries Open Their Doors After Hours

Museums at Night returns, reports LondonTown.com

Offering twilight tours, royal banquets and even some sleepovers, Museums at Night returns  with more exclusive viewings and events. With museums, galleries and heritage sights all across the UK taking part, a number of London venues will be opening their doors after hours.

Venues taking part in this year's event include Hampton Court Palace, offering a hearty supper and the chance to sleep like a king; Museum of London, a collection of London's best comic improvisers create a late-night show inspired by mystery medieval objects; and Tate Modern, which will host a number of workshops, events and conversations.

The National Trust launches its London Project this weekend. This radical reworking of the 117-year-old charity aims to engage a younger audience with London's built heritage, history and outdoor spaces through a number of one-off events that span arts, culture and the urban green environment.

The project kicks off with a partnership with Chelsea Fringe, which runs throughout the summer, with further collaborators including The Art of Dining, The Last Tuesday Society and 200-year-old gamesmaker, Jaques.

There are two major exhibitions in London, including In Fine Style: The Art of Tudor and Stuart Fashion at The Queen's Gallery, which displays a number of paintings, jewellery items, garments and armour to explore 16th and 17th century royal fashions, proving that the fascination with royal fashion started long before Kate Middleton. While the British Library launches Propaganda: Power and Persuasion, a representation of propaganda in many forms, from its origin in ancient Greece up until the present day, and how it affects us every day.

Food lovers have a number of events to choose from across the weekend with Kitchen Party being at the forefront. Set across a three-story building, this giant party invites a number of London's best culinary entrepreneurs and chefs to host unique events and foodie experiences. While the RAW Artisan Wine Fair celebrates high quality, fine wine and top notch artisan food, and the Fabulous Feast in Battersea provides a day of food workshops, bake offs, food & beer pairing, and ice cream making.

Frock Me! returns this weekend to provide the perfect day's shopping for any vintage fashionistas and the Angel Flea Market sells up-cycled, recycled, retro and vintage art pieces, books, furniture, collectable and clothes.

Be sure never to miss a great event in London with LondonTown.com's Something for the Weekend mailer, a guide to the top ten events every weekend in London throughout 2013.