A Visit to the Wuhan Museum (Part 1): Exquisite Treasures and Cultural Relics
Wuhan, a national historical and cultural city, is located at the confluence of the Yangtze and Han Rivers, a "thoroughfare of nine provinces." It was once the capital of the Chu State, a political center for dynasties such as the Qin, Han, Tang, and Song, and witnessed the turbulent changes of modern times. Within Wuhan's jurisdiction, there are 33 major national cultural relic protection sites, headed by the Site of the Wuchang Uprising (National Level 1), the Site of the 87th Meeting (National Level 2), and the Panlongcheng Site (National Level 3), with a majority being modern historical sites.
The Wuhan Museum, a National First-Class Museum, is located on Qingnian Road, Jianghan District, Hankou, Wuhan, near Hankou Railway Station. The Wuhan Museum has three floors, with the 3rd floor (Modern and Contemporary History of Wuhan exhibition hall) currently closed. Current permanent exhibitions include "Exquisite Treasures - A Collection of Cultural Relics Through the Ages," "Ancient Ceramic Art," and "3,500 Years of Continuity - Ancient History of Wuhan."
This post introduces the 1st floor exhibition, "Exquisite Treasures - A Collection of Cultural Relics Through the Ages." Highlights of the exhibits are as follows:
1️⃣ "Museum Treasures" (Figures 3-5)
⭐⭐Shang Dynasty, Square Bronze Lei with Phoenix Pattern
Unearthed in Yong'an Zhulinzui, Caidian District. It was unearthed without a lid, which was later replicated based on the "Mother Drum" dragon-patterned square lei housed in the Luoyang Museum. This bronze lei boasts exquisite craftsmanship, ornate decoration, and an elegant, grand style, possessing high historical and artistic value.
⭐⭐Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Mark, Jade Ewer with Intertwined Phoenixes
The ewer is shaped like two phoenixes embracing each other, showcasing ingenious design and exquisite carving. The lid features two intertwined phoenix heads with cheeks touching; the body is composed of the bodies, wings, and feet of two embracing phoenixes, their feet touching in an intimate posture. The bottom is engraved with the gold-filled seal script mark "Made by Imperial Order of Qianlong."
2️⃣ Other Featured Exhibits (Figures 6-17)
⭐Shang Dynasty, Ding with Taotie Pattern
⭐Western Zhou Dynasty, Gui Ritual Vessel of the Duke of Qi
⭐Western Zhou Dynasty, Yong Bell
⭐Spring and Autumn Period, Yi Ritual Vessel with Coiled Dragon Handle and Four Feet
⭐Spring and Autumn Period, "Cai Taishi" He Ritual Vessel
This type of vessel originally had no definitive name. Due to the inscription on the vessel, "In the first month of the King's reign, on the auspicious day of Renwu, Qin, the Grand Scribe of Cai, made this He vessel for perpetual use," its name was confirmed, providing valuable historical data for the study of Cai State history.
⭐Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, Gilt Bronze Standing Statue of Sakyamuni Buddha
This bronze Buddha statue, with its serene expression and vivid form, is a masterpiece among sculptures of the same theme. It was discovered in 1962 during the demolition of the Xingfu Temple Pagoda, a nationally protected ancient pagoda also known as the "Shadowless Pagoda," located within the South-Central University for Nationalities in Wuchang.
⭐Ming Dynasty, Yongle Period, Gilt Bronze Seated Buddha Statue
⭐Ming Dynasty, Agate Brush Washer with Chi Dragon Pattern
⭐Ming Dynasty, Celadon Water Dropper with Chi Dragon Pattern
⭐Qing Dynasty, Silver Phoenix Crown Inlaid with Gems
⭐Qing Dynasty, Gilt Green Jade Qing Musical Stone with Cloud and Dragon Pattern and Poem Inscription
⭐Qing Dynasty, Celadon and White Jade Vase with Lotus and Chi Dragon Handles, Green Jade Incense Burner with Inlaid Gems and Movable Ring Handles, Shoushan Stone Seal with Animal Knob, Zhou Leyuan Crystal Snuff Bottle with Interior Painted Flowers, Painted Enamel Flower and Fruit Box
All photos were taken by me with my mobile phone. Please do not reprint or use them.
The last stop of the Wuhan tour is the Wuhan Museum. No reservation is required. You can enter by swiping your ID card. There are not many people. There are three floors in total. The third floor is under renovation. Several exhibition halls can be viewed quietly. It is many times quieter than the Hubei Museum. There is also a cultural and creative store. The big brother in the cultural and creative store on the first floor stamps the ticket, explains and gives gifts. The service is really good and recommended.
Second visit to Wuhan Museum 1 Wuhan was incorporated into the Chu State, 800 BC. 2 Qu Yuan, a symbol of Chu culture. 3 Picture of Yu Boya playing the qin in the Yuan Dynasty: During the Warring States Period, Yu Boya was a nobleman, Zhong Ziqi was a woodcutter, and the woodcutter understood the nobleman's music. 4 During the Three Kingdoms Period, 2/3 of the wars took place in Hubei, which was the front line of the conflict among the Three Kingdoms. 5 The Palace of the Prince of Chu in the Ming Dynasty, the sixth son of Zhu Yuanzhang. The model of Wuchang City is related to this king. The tomb is in Longquan Mountain, Jiangxia. 6 The dock culture of the three towns of Wuhan in the late Qing Dynasty.
Because I didn't have an appointment to visit the Hubei Provincial Museum, I went to the Wuhan Museum instead. It happened to be Museum Day, and the curator personally gave a great explanation to the tourists. The collection was also very rich.
The four treasures of Wuhan Museum are the Phoenix-patterned Square Lei, the Blue-and-white "Four Loves" Plum Vase, the "Landscape of the Yangtze and Han Rivers" and the "Qianlong" style Green Jade Double Phoenix Encircling Neck Pot. 12 The Phoenix-patterned Square Lei, a wine vessel or ritual vessel from the late Shang Dynasty, is famous for its exquisite craftsmanship and gorgeous decoration. It has extremely high historical and artistic value and has been rated as a national first-class cultural relic. The Blue-and-white "Four Loves" Plum Vase, a porcelain from the Yuan Dynasty, belongs to the blue-and-white underglaze colored porcelain. It has become a national first-class cultural relic for its exquisite craftsmanship and rare number of handed down. The "Landscape of the Yangtze and Han Rivers", a painting from the Ming Dynasty, depicts the scene of the confluence of the Yangtze River and the Han River, as well as the style of the three towns of Wuhan, and has been rated as a national first-class cultural relic. The "Qianlong" jade double phoenix pot is a jade carving from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. It is famous for its novel shape and exquisite craftsmanship. It is a fine jade carving from the Qianlong period. These treasures not only represent the rich collections of Wuhan Museum, but also show the exquisite skills and rich cultural connotations of ancient Chinese craftsmanship.
Wuhan Museum "Taipei Rivers and Mountains - Pingwu Tusi Cultural Relics Special Exhibition" 2. Hollow Hydrangea Double Lantern Gold Pendant (Ming Dynasty, Mianyang City Museum) 3. Gilded Guardian Statue (Ming Dynasty, Pingwu Baoen Temple Museum) 4. Plum Blossom Silver Cup (Ming Dynasty, Mianyang City Museum) 5. Beaded Gold Bracelet (Ming Dynasty, Pingwu Baoen Temple Museum) 6. Gourd-shaped Gold Wire Earrings (Ming Dynasty, Pingwu Baoen Temple Museum) 7. Chrysanthemum Gold Earrings (Ming Dynasty, Pingwu Baoen Temple Museum) 8. Gilded Bronze Guanyin Gold (Ming Dynasty, Pingwu Baoen Temple Museum) 9. Red and Green Ribbon Covered Lotus Pattern Covered Jar (Ming Dynasty, Pingwu Baoen Temple Museum)
The blue and white "Four Loves" plum vase is a piece of porcelain from the Yuan Dynasty. It is a blue and white underglaze colored porcelain. It has become a national first-class cultural relic for its exquisite workmanship and rare number of handed down pieces.