National treasures from Afghanistan

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02:59

An exhibition entitled “Utensils and Ornaments Endlessly Fine” is underway in Beijing, featuring national treasures from Afghanistan.

These artifacts, that escaped the war and political chaos back home, have traveled around the world since 2006.

The exhibition showcases over 230 precious items, which illustrate the development of the central Asian country between the 3rd century B.C. and the 1st century.

Golden objects are the biggest attraction, many of which contain Chinese elements.

A gold crown on display. /Photo courtesy of Tsinghua University Art Museum

Afghanistan, with a history of over 5,000 years, was once a major stop on the ancient Silk Road.

Exchanges between China and Afghanistan can be dated back to more than 2,000 years ago, when envoy Zhang Qian of the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-AD 220) traveled there during his first mission.

"Afghanistan is a very unique area that can infuse many kinds of culture. It has nomads to the north, China on the east, India to the south and Iran on the west. All the cultural elements formed the multi-cultural character of Afghanistan,” said Tan Shengguang, curator of the exhibition.

Due to the turbulent situation in Afghanistan beginning in the 1970s, the protection of cultural relics has been a great challenge for the country.

Three-leaved applique with inlay work. /Photo courtesy of Tsinghua University Art Museum

In 1994, the Afghan National Museum, which housed over 100,000 artifacts, was hit by artillery shells. Some warlords even ransacked the museum and sold the cultural relics overseas to pay for military expenses.

Since the situation in Afghanistan stabilized in 2003, many cultural relics lost in the war and hidden in various places have been recovered. Through exhibitions, scholars want to show another side of Afghanistan that is not violent and ruined.

This particular exhibition has toured around the world since 2006, visiting countries including France, Germany, and the United States.

A bowl with image of bulls. /Photo courtesy of Tsinghua University Art Museum

"China joined the relay in 2017. The exhibition first met Chinese audiences at the Palace Museum in Beijing, and travelled to many cities, including Dunhuang, Zhengzhou, Shenzhen, and Chengdu. And this time, we feel very happy to have the opportunity to join the relay in protecting and displaying these treasures," said Du Pengfei, executive deputy director of Tsinghua University Art Museum.

The Tsinghua University Art Museum has added a section to the exhibit, displaying related archives and even the boxes that have carried the artifacts around the world. The exhibition not only showcases the splendid culture at the crossroads of the East and West 2,000 ago, but also serves as an important symbol of post-war cultural renaissance in Afghanistan.

(Top image: An ornament for the neck of a robe. /Photo courtesy of Tsinghua University Art Museum)