Priceless objects---Forbidden City treasures get free exhibition

Global Times, January 26, 2011

Among the "daily life" objects on display is an elegantly embroidered sachet decorated with gold flowers and long fringe. People in the old days cared as much about smelling good as (most) people do today, but instead of wearing perfume or deodorant, they carried around little sachets filled with fragrant materials like flowers. And a copper lunchbox on display is inscribed with patterns on the inside as well as the exterior, even though the internal designs would normally be hidden by food when the box was in use.

Twenty-five jade items are on display including examples from the Han, Tang and Qing dynasties. One white jade from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) is carved with a phoenix flying across flowers, which was probably used by the empresses in the palace. A doubleended sapphire tube was made for displaying flowers: Each of its ends has a metal cap with five little holes for inserting flowers. One particularly amazing item on display is a delicate jade sculpture of a shepherd boy riding a water buffalo. Even though it's small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, the fine craftsmanship is evident down to the carved fibers in the rope the boy carries.

As part of the exhibit, there is even a display of 19 bronzes from the Shang Dynasty to the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220), cast in elaborate shapes and patterns that you'd likely recognize from any history book.