Woodblock printing works on display at Prince Kung's Palace Museum in Beijing. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Prince Kung's Palace Museum in Beijing is hosting woodblock printing and ancient porcelain exhibitions for visitors to experience traditional Chinese culture during the Spring Festival holiday.
The Porcelains with Auspicious Animal Patterns Excavated from the Imperial Kiln Site in Jingdezhen showcases 120 pieces of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) porcelain objects decorated with auspicious animal motifs.
The exhibits cover a blue-and-white cricket jar and uniquely shaped artifacts like the blue-and-white phoenix-patterned crane-neck vase and the white-glazed long-neck beast-handle vase.
The Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln was an official porcelain production institution established during the Ming and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties to create ceramics exclusively for the imperial court. From the second year (1369) of the Hongwu reign in the Ming Dynasty to the Xuantong reign (1908-12) of the Qing Dynasty, it brought together the most skilled artisans who produced countless porcelain masterpieces in the interim of more than 500 years.
A visitor appreciates woodblock printing works at the museum. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]
The entire exhibition is curated around various auspicious animal motifs showcasing pieces that feature the commonly seen dragon and phoenix patterns and a variety of lively, charming, and meaningful depictions of auspicious birds, mythical creatures and symbolic animals.
The exhibition, lasting till March 30, also includes an interactive experience where visitors can touch a fragment of imperial porcelain, offering a rare opportunity to feel the craftsmanship of the Ming Dynasty imperial kilns.
The woodblock printing exhibition gathers more than 100 works carrying strong distinctive regional characteristics, including those from Tianjin, Hebei, Jiangsu and Shandong provinces, all major historical production sites of the traditional art form.
The exhibition, lasting till April 20, features a New Year-themed animated short film based on the museum's collection of traditional New Year woodblock paintings and an interactive painting-rubbing experience.
A visitor touches a porcelain fragment from the ancient imperial kiln at the museum. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]
A woodblock printing master demonstrates the art form for visitors at the museum. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Visitors appreciate porcelain objects at the museum. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]
Visitors try their hand at making woodblock painting at the museum. [Photo provided to China Daily]
