China’s Hidden Century, on at The British Museum in London till 8th October, is dense with information, all of it fascinating. We didn’t manage to get through everything in almost 3 hours as every single item was worth looking at. For each answer there were more questions, more to learn.
This was a culturally rich time in China’s history; exposure to outside influences increased as internal unrest and power struggles shook the country.
Intelligent and ruthless, the Empress Dowager Cixi (portrait above), controlled the government for almost 50 years. She realised how important it was to connect with the world outside the empire and to the mindsets of China’s aggressors.
As well as luxurious objects we get an all too rare glimpse into the lives of ordinary people.
Look at this waterproof raincoat and hat made of leaves worn by rural and urban workers. You can also see a cook’s cotton jacket and trousers in the background on the right.
Below is a photograph of the raincoat and hat in use. Click here to watch a video from the British Museum’s website on the conservation process.
Collections of objects are beautifully displayed as this graphically-lit arrangement of thumb rings (one of the symbols of Manchu identity) shows. I love the shadow-play in this vitrine.
Western technology is given a mind-boggling twist here: this portrait is taken from a photograph …
but is embroidered. My camera couldn’t capture such fine detail and even my eyes struggled to see such fine stitching.
Ida Khan was one of the first recognised Chinese women doctors well-versed in both Western and Chinese medicine. This travelling chest below is full of traditional Chinese medicine comprising ointments, plants and dried creatures as well as charms to aid recovery.
This folding screen was exhibited at the 1867 International Exhibition in Paris. Exquisitely made of lacquered wood with embroidered silk and kingfisher feathers.
Another artefact where the quality of craftsmanship is breath-taking.
