20 Fans for China's Emperor
Twenty members enjoyed the trip to the “Golden Age of China” exhibition at the National Gallery on May 11. The 124 exhibits ranged from sumptuous robes for Emperor Qianlong (1736-95) to portraits of his 41 concubines and a chair made form deer antlers.
During the Emperor’s reign China was the wealthiest and most populated country (150m) on earth. He not only wrote 40,000 poems and 13,000 essays but collected treasures from around the world, such as lavishly decorated golden clocks.
Our tour began with an hour’s talk from Gallery Educator Paula, who explained how the previous China exhibition in 1988 laid the groundwork for the 2015 show. Some of the pieces were making a return visit to Melbourne.
We learnt surprising things like how the jewellery and crown of the Empress was designed to tinkle and ring as she walked, to make her entrances even more impressive.
After the show most of us had a café lunch in the Gallery, though not up to Beijing duck standard.
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