Imperial Exhibits Tell Grand Tales

For the first time more than 400 imperial treasures including porcelain, bronze ware, gold and silverware will be presented to the public. They come from 24,000 former imperial possessions collected from society and individuals over the past 50 years.

Every piece tells a story.

Gilt-silver pear-shaped vase engraved with double phoenixes among flowers, Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Donated by He Gang in 1985.

Refrigerators

Few people know what a 200-year-old Chinese refrigerator looks like. Two such refrigerators are being exhibited in Fengxian Hall. They were refined during the reign of Qianlong (1736-1795) by the court manufacturing department, using the finest processing techniques for enamelware.

After 1910, the two refrigerators came into the possession of Xu Shizhang, brother of Xu Shichang, governor of the northern nationalist government.

They were later bought by Lu Guanhu, one of the "four famous Chinese doctors", and dean of Tianjin Chinese Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. During the Cultural Revolution, the refrigerators were confiscated together with other valuables from the Xu family's collection. After the Cultural Revolution, they couldn't be found among Xu's confiscated property. Finally in 1985, Lu Yi, daughter of Lu Guanhu, found the refrigerators and returned them to the Forbidden City.

Last Emperor

Qing Ming Shang He Tu (River Scene on the Day of Qingming), by Zhang Zeduan of the Song Dynasty (960-1227), and Zhuo Xie Tu (Rest Scene), are rare indeed through their portrayal of 1,000-year-old Kitan ethnic minority life.

The story goes that the last Emperor Pu Yi took them with the intention of lining his own pockets, but they were snatched back off him by the People's Liberation Army.

With the collapse of the Qing Dynasty after 1910, precious collections were lost from Beijing. The two paintings were moved out of the Forbidden City by Pu Yi, under the guise of giving it to his brother Pu Jie.

He took the picture with him to the interim imperial "court" of Changchun in 1932. In 1945, Pu Yi escaped from Changchun before the People's Liberation Army entered Northeast China. But he did not forget to bring the painting Qing Ming Shang He Tu and other treasures. He went to Tonghua with plans to fly to Japan, but was captured at the airport by the PLA. After liberation, the painting was returned to the Forbidden City.

The painting Zhuo Xie Tu came into the hands of a high Guomindang official after Japan surrendered in 1945. When this official was captured by the PLA, the painting couldn't be found. Zhou Huan -- then director of the Shenyang Military Area Political Department -- and his colleagues spent weeks searching before discovering it amongst Guomindang military maps.

Generous Guy

In 1985, He Gang, a peasant of Guqiang Village of Shangshui County, Henan, dug up some silverware in his own courtyard. He didn't hesitate to contact the local government.

Later, he and the government escorted his discoveries to the Forbidden City as his donation. This is the first public exhibition of gilt-silver pear-shaped vase engraved with double phoenixes among flowers of Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).

Venues:
Hall of Preserving Harmony. The exhibits include paintings, calligraphy and rubbings from stone scriptures. Until November 8.
Fengxian Hall. The exhibits are porcelain, bronze, sculptures, jade ware, bamboo, wood and ivory sculptures, gold, silver, lacquer ware, enamel, embroidery and furniture. Until January 8.

Cloisonne enamel refrigerator (icebox) of Qing Dynasty(1644-1911). Donated by Lu Yi in 1985.