Contained within the UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the Forbidden City lies one of China’s foremost institutions of art. Dubbed the Palace Museum this famed point of interest lies in what was once a Ming Dynasty palace which housed exquisite and historic artwork from the Ming and Qing dynastic periods’ imperial collections. Expanded with acquisitions made from art institutions, museums and other galleries across the world this national museum has augmented its number of its already extensive collection during the 20th century. Displaying more than one million works of art which includes rare and precious items the permanent collection of this national museum is a captivating sight for art connoisseurs from around the world who flock to the former palace complex to uncover the exquisite creations of centuries past. Boasting an impressive collection of more than 1,807,558 objet d’art which includes jades, sculpture, paintings, ceramic ware, bronze work, steel structures, wares bearing inscriptions, paintings and seals an estimated 1,684,490 artifacts that have been declared protected cultural treasures of the Chinese Republic are also found within the institution.
The chief highlights at the venue include its imperial collection of paintings which is nearly 50,000 in number. Hailed as the largest painting catalogue in the country, the locale boasts dozens of pieces that are considered some of the most valuable and rarest works of art in the country’s history. This includes paintings by Wang Meng which dates back to the 14th century as well as 17th century masterpieces by Yun Shouping. More than 340,000 ceramic works are also on show at the Palace Museum which also includes 320,000 porcelain wonders from the Song and Tang Dynasties.
Jade which holds a special place in the culture of China is also found at the museum which displays 30,000 items from the pre-Yuan era, the Neolithic era as well as the Ming and Qing dynasties. Ten thousand bronze pieces are also part of the museum’s collection which includes ceremonial items and music instruments used by imperial courtiers and the orchestra.
A whopping one thousand18th and 19th century clocks and time pieces are also available for viewing at the venue including Chinese as well as European models while the palace relics sections encompasses imperial court artifacts which were used by members of the royal family and the emperor’s household.
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