What Was Life Really Like Inside the Forbidden City? Asks This Exhibition

Description

Reigning from 1735 to 1796, the Qianlong Emperor was one of the most famous rulers of early modern China, presiding over a golden age of cultural patronage.

But what was life like for him and those who served him?

Liang Yi Museum’s Furnishing the Forbidden: Throne, Study and Bedchamber attempts to answer this key question. Beyond the public grandeur of the Forbidden City and into the private spaces of the emperor, scholar and courtesan, the show features 90 treasures from the Qing dynasty (1644–1912). It recreates the throne, study and bedchamber to explore imperial power, scholarship, craftsmanship, personal ritual and the often-overlooked influence of palace women.

With master joiners, lacquer experts and inlay artisans at the emperor’s disposal, many furniture masterpieces were created. Highlights include a richly decorated 18th-century clothing chest made out of huanghuali and covered in lapis lazuli, mother-of-pearl and other semi-precious stones. Its motifs of birds, flowers and pomegranates express wishes for beauty, spring and abundant progeny. Also on display is a pair of nearly three-metre-high monumental cabinets that formed part of Princess Quejing’s (1690–1736) dowry, when Kangxi Emperor’s youngest daughter married Sun Chengyun, son of the Han Chinese general  Sun Sike — offering a poignant reminder of how marriage could serve imperial strategy.

Throughout October, there are a range of programmes. On 7 October, starting from 15:15, there will be a curator’s walkthrough of highlighted pieces with exhibition curator Janine Hua. Two days later, on 9 October at 16:00, a talk and handling workshop on Qing consorts’ intimate beauty rituals and boudoir accessories will be led by Sandy Ng, assistant professor of culture and theories at the School of Design, Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Then, on 12 November at 15:00, curator at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, Nicole Chiang explores Qing imperial workshop system, illuminating the journey from craftsman to the final furnishings.

The exhibition is open from Monday to Friday, 10:00–18:00. Admission to the exhibition is charged and includes a guided tour. Visitors can register via website, email or by phone at 6333-2347. Wednesdays are free for full-time students by prior arrangement. Children under 12 are not permitted.