A Special Exhibition - English

Title: Daigou (belt buckle). Period: Qing dynasty. Material: wood. Function: ornament

Physical description: Dragon head, and qin (zither)-shaped body. Round button. Carving of a small dragon on the body. The relationship between the two dragons symbolizes teaching offspring, as well as the achievement of descendants. Daigou were used as belt links and status symbols by ancient Chinese aristocrats and scholar-officials. Daigou originated in the Western Zhou Dynasty and became prevalent between the Warring States period and the Han Dynasty. Most belt buckles were cast in bronze; some were made from gold, silver, iron and jade. The materials used, the level of refinement, and the decorative designs are the main criteria used to evaluate daigou.

Title: Daigou (belt buckle). Period: Qing dynasty. Material: jade. Function: ornament

Physical description: Crystal belt buckle. Dragon head, flower pattern on the body, pipa (Chinese lute)-shaped, round button.

Title: Water pipe box. Period: Republic of China. Material: brass. Function: smoking

Physical description: long mouth, one cigarette lighting tube, one ladle. Hollow lower part that can be filled with tobacco.

Title: Bronze ge (dagger-axe). Period: Warring States Period. Material: bronze. Function: part of a pole weapon

Title: Bronze ge (dagger-axe). Period: Warring States Period. Material: Bronze. Function: part of pole weapon

Physical description: The handle of the axe is above the rectangular perforation (qiong). The left and right flank of the hole present an arc-form nei (flange) which contracts to a point.

Title: Bronze jue (vessel). Period: Warring States Period. Material: Bronze. Function: drinking vessel.

Physical description: A type of vessel used in ancient China to warm and drink wine. A long spout and pointed tail form the rim. Semi-circular handle on one side. Body supported by three long pointed legs.

Title: Red-glazed snuff bottle. Period: Qing Dynasty. Material: porcelain.

Physical description: Greyish white inner body, red glaze, round mouth, contracted neck, round-drum shaped shoulder, flat base. Imitation Langyao glaze.

Title: Two-ear painted pottery with grid design within diamond forms. Period: Neolithic. Material: ceramic.

Physical description: Seven gridded diamond patterns painted on the belly between two horizontal lines. ‘Saw-tooth’ pattern on the neck and inside the mouth. Two horizontal lines painted above the saw-tooth pattern inside the mouth of the vessel. Two ‘ear’ handles with painted lines. The vessel is well-balanced overall; the colored patterns are meticulous. This painted pottery is a treasure from the Banshan (2500-2300 BC) phase of Majiayao culture.

Title: Xiongnu bronze belt buckle. Period: Han Dynasty. Material: Bronze. Function: Ornament

Physical description: Bird-hook-shaped head. Flower patterns cast in the body. Round button.

Title: Jade ornament. Period: Qing Dynasty. Material: jade.

Physical description: Ornament in Qing Dynasty costumes. One hole at both the top and the bottom. The two ends can be linked with other jade accessories.

Title: Blue and white vase with long neck. Period: Ming Dynasty. Material: Porcelain. Function: decoration

Physical description: Slim long neck, broad shoulder, inclined straight body. On the body are painted, from top to bottom, pine trees, plantain leaves, flowers, and an old fisherman. The exterior painted in deep shades of blue with simulated 'heaping and piling'. The overall style imitates the blue-and-white porcelains of the Ming Dynasty Xuande period.

Title: Shakyamuni Buddha. Period: Ming Dynasty. Material: Bronze, gilt.

Physical description: left hand in dhyana mudra (gesture of meditation), right hand in bhumisparsa mudra (earth touching gesture). Sitting cross-legged on a two-layer lotus seat.

Title: New Year Print. Period: Republican China. Material: ink and paper.

Physical description: one from a set of modern prints, depicting two Gods of Fortune, the child of Wealth, and imperial bodyguards. In the middle are four characters kai men da ji, literally meaning “open the door, large fortune.”