A photo taken on November 3, 2023, shows culture relics on display at the Nanjing Museum in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. /CFP
This year, the Nanjing Museum celebrates its 90th anniversary of its establishment. An exhibition showcasing 90 sets (approximately 200 pieces) of treasures from the museum's collection – presenting the nine decades of history of the museum – will open to the public on November 7.
The exhibition not only reviews the 90-year development of the Nanjing Museum, but also highlights the museum's rich cultural heritage from various angles, including scientific research, archaeological discoveries, and cultural artifact collections.
A photo taken on November 3, 2023, shows a blue and white porcelain incense burner on display at the Nanjing Museum in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. /CFP
For example, a blue and white porcelain incense burner is one of the "treasures of the museum" at the Nanjing Museum, with only two known to exist. It was produced during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) at the imperial kiln factory in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province. The incense burner's design mimics the shape of a bronze tripod, and its large form symbolizes the stability of China.
Another treasure is a world map from the Ming Dynasty. It is the earliest surviving, and the only world map copied from an engraved version in China. According to Cui Xiaoying, a curator at the Nanjing Museum, this map marked the collision and fusion of geographical concepts between China and the Western countries and has significant historical value.
Since 1980, through archaeological excavations, artifact collections, and social donations, the Nanjing Museum's collection has become more distinctive, and comprehensive, forming a treasure trove of Chinese cultural and artistic heritage with over 400,000 precious items.
A photo taken on November 3, 2023, shows a set of seals on display at the Nanjing Museum in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. /CFP
Among the exhibited relics, a set of seals is very eye-catching. One reads "Read more, talk less" in Chinese, vividly showcasing the way people encouraged themselves in the past. Cui Xiaoying explains that these 72 seals were made from precious materials, and feature exquisite seal script, composition, and engraving techniques, making them rare collectibles.
The Nanjing Museum is one of China's three major museums. Its predecessor was a museum founded in 1933 with the advocacy of influential Chinese figures in modern education like Cai Yuanpei and others. It was the earliest museum established in China and the first large comprehensive museum built with national investment.