Henan Museum
![]() Entrance view |
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Data | |
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place | Zhengzhou , People's Republic of China |
Art |
Chinese history and art
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architect | Qi Kang |
opening | October 10, 1928 |
management |
Zhang Wenjun
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Website |
The Henan Museum ( Chinese 河南 博物院 , Pinyin Hénán Bówùyuàn ; English Henan Museum ) is one of the most important museums in China . The museum was founded in 1927 in the former provincial capital Kaifeng , and in 1961 it was moved to Zhengzhou . A new building, in which around 3000 of over 120,000 collection items are exhibited, was completed in 1997.
history
In the summer of 1923 an ancient grave was accidentally found in Xinzheng while the well was being built , in which over 100 bronze finds and numerous clay dishes from the Eastern Zhou dynasty were discovered. Because of this, the chairman of the provincial government, Feng Yuxiang, suggested setting up a museum. In July 1927, the so-called Henan Museum relocated its first headquarters on Drei-Heilgen-Kloster-Straße to the old town of Kaifeng, where the office of the former governor was originally located. In May 1928, the administration named it the Folk Museum to showcase the history and culture of the peoples and educate the Chinese people. The first official exhibition opened on October 10th, in which natural and art historical exhibits as well as various models were shown.
On December 1, 1930, it was officially used as an educational institute and got the old name "Henan Museum" back. On January 20, 1931, the Museum Regulations were drawn up by the Provincial Ministry of Education. A committee of experts was formed which decided to outsource the clothing and models in order to create a purely historical museum. In the period from 1930 to 1937, the collection developed rapidly, both qualitatively and quantitatively, and the museum gained the reputation of being the second best in China after the Beijing Palace Museum .
The collection
The museum is one of the eight so-called “imposing museums” outside of Beijing. It houses a collection documenting the entire Chinese cultural history, which has three main focuses: bronze art, stone art and ceramics with a special focus on the Tang and Song dynasties .
Exhibitions
Permanent exhibitions
Exhibitions for civilization in Henan
- Dawn of civilization ( history ): In this section artifacts from the Old and New Stone Age shown that were discovered province wide for some 60 years.
- Splendor of the Three Mythical Dynasties ( Xia , Shang and Zhou Dynasties ): These three dynasties are considered to be the foundation of Chinese culture and history. At that time, Luoyang was a political, economic and cultural center and served as the capital.
- Mixture of cultures and peoples ( Han to the Southern and Northern Dynasties )
- Gloria of the prosperous age ( Sui and Tang dynasties )
- The Shining Time ( Song , Jin, and Yuan Dynasties )
Themed exhibitions
- Movements of the last century
- Art of stone carving in Henan
- Bronze art of the state of Chu
- Jade culture in Henan
- Decorative arts of the Ming and Qing dynasties
Special exhibitions
- Goldsmithing
- Italian Renaissance painting
- Painting by Zhang Daqian
Well-known exhibits
The experts selected nine excellent exhibits, which are referred to as the “nine treasures” of the museum.
- Bone flute from Jiahu (賈湖 骨 笛, also known as Gudi 7th millennium BC ): In the autumn of 1979, archaeologists discovered an important tomb in Jiahu in which around 30 Neolithic bone flutes were excavated. One of them lasted for nine thousand years until the 20th century. It is considered to be the world's first wind instrument and enables professionals to rebuild the sound system of prehistoric music. This proved that the tuning system with seven notes already existed in the Stone Age. Another feature is the manufacture of the flute. In addition to seven regular holes, there is also a smaller hole in between to make the pitch more precise. This method was handed down in the following millennia and was regarded as a typical procedure for the Chinese flute makers.
- Rectangular food offering vessel from Duling (杜 岭 方 鼎, 12th century BC ): In 1974, historians in Zhengzhou discovered two of the oldest, flawless examples of the casting technique from the middle of the Shang dynasty . The smaller bronze container Ding was moved to the Henan Museum and fascinated the observers again and again with its perfection. Nipple and Taotie decorations , which were used as other motifs on ritual vessels in the following period, appeared for the first time.
- Owl-shaped wine vessel with inscriptions “Fu Hao” (妇 好 鸮 尊, 11th century BC ): Queen Fu Hao of the late Shang dynasty was the first female general in China. The archaeological work of her tomb in 1976 in Anyang is one of the ten most important discoveries of the past century in the People's Republic. Although most of the artifacts were moved to Beijing, this perfect specimen remained in Henan. The bronze container is 45.9 centimeters high and belongs to the Zun type of sacrificial vessel .
- Iron sword with jade handle (玉 柄 铁剑, 8th century BC ): The sword is considered to be the first evidence of the history of iron production from ore in China.
- Offering table with cloud decoration (云纹 铜 禁, 6th century BC ): The term "Jin" refers to an ancient bronze offering table that was specially used for wine. It is a national treasure, exhibition abroad is not permitted.
- Square wine vessel with crane and lotus decorations (莲 鹤 方 壶, 6th century BC ): bronze container (壶 Hu) from the spring and autumn annals , acquired in 1923 in Xinzheng from the mausoleum of Zheng state. It is a national treasure, exhibition abroad is not permitted.
- Wall painting of the four mythical animals flying through clouds (四 神 云气 图, 136 BC ): This is the earliest collection of wall paintings in China.
- Gold leaf of Empress Wu (武 曌 金 简, 770 ): The gold leaf was made by the unique Empress Wu Zetian to put off sin.
- Ru vase (approx. 1120 ): Vase from Ru kiln .
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Rectangular bone flute from Jiahu (Chinese)
- ↑ Rectangular food offering vessel from Duling ( Memento of the original from July 8, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (English)
- ↑ Owl-shaped wine vessel with the inscription "Fu Hao" ( Memento of the original from July 8, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (English)
- ↑ Rectangular bone flute from Jiahu (Chinese)
- ↑ Iron sword with jade hilt ( Memento of the original from March 14, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (English)
- ↑ Square wine vessel with crane and lotus decorations ( Memento of the original from March 14, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (English)
- ↑ Wall painting of the four mythical animals flying through clouds ( memento of the original from July 8, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (English)
- ↑ Goldblatt der Kaiserin Wu ( Memento of the original from March 14, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (English)
- ↑ Ru-Vase ( Memento of the original from March 14, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (English)
Coordinates: 34 ° 47 ′ 20.3 " N , 113 ° 39 ′ 57.9" E