Home
» City specials
» Hangzhou
Glittering displayof ethnic culture
By Wu Huixin |
January 16, 2013, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
DELICATE Miao minority silver wear and embroidery dating from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) through to modern times are the subject of an exhibition at Hangzhou Arts and Crafts Museum.
Some 77 pieces are on display at the event that runs until March 31.
The exhibition features eight "second-level antiques" - the second most prized level of exhibits in Chinese museums - and 64 "third-level antiques," showcasing the ancient Miao ethnic minority culture.
The Miao is one of China's 55 official minority groups and famous for their silver accessories and embroidery.
Early in the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), Miao people settled in the Wuxi area, today's eastern Guizhou Province and western Hunan Province. From there they formed communities in areas which include Guizhou, Hunan, Yunnan, Sichuan and Guangdong provinces and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Highlights of the exhibition include a hexagonal hat brooch, an azure satin embroidered woman's coat and a floral-patterned silver collar composed of several collars.
The hexagonal hat brooch, made during the Republic of China period (1911-1949), is an accessory attached to Miao people's hats. While no bigger than a fingernail, this example is engraved with an abacus, a sword, a book, a key, a ruler and the Chinese characters "库一" and "乙丑" And on the bottom in inscribed the maker's name "杨金顺"
The azure satin embroidered coat is a traditional Miao costume dating from the Qing Dynasty worn by women during festivities. The cuffs are embroidered with auspicious designs, featuring phoenix and peony images.
The embroidery on the lower hem is the pattern of ruyi, a ceremonial scepter in Buddhism that also features as a talisman.
Silver collars are common accessories among Miao women. An example in the exhibition dates from the late Qing Dynasty and features four collars with identical embossed floral patterns. The detail is such that even the stamen and foliage vein can be seen clearly.
Miao people regard Chi You - head of the ancient Jiuli tribe that existed during the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors era (2852 BC to 2070 BC) in Chinese mythology - as their ancestor.
According to legend, Chi You was the first person to make metal weapons and tools in China. It is said this founded the Miao tradition of silverwork.
Today, many Miao people consider silver accessories a symbol of womanhood. An old saying claims that "A Miao woman cannot live without silver accessories."
There is also a tradition of charms and amulets behind traditional Miao silver accessories.
Miao craftspeople use the points of maple leaves to connect different patterns in silver accessories because they believe the maple tree is the incarnation of the weapon in Chi You's hand when he died fighting the Yellow Emperor, another famous figure of Chinese mythology. The maple leaves turned red as they were dyed with Chi You's blood.
Another common totem in Miao silver accessories is a fish, which symbolizes abundant fertility.
Patterns featuring fish are engraved on silver accessories to pray for offspring.
Miao people also wear silver accessories to ward off the evil. In Miao legend, only people with silver accessories can escape evil.
Date: Through March 31
Address: 334 Xiaohe Rd
Some 77 pieces are on display at the event that runs until March 31.
The exhibition features eight "second-level antiques" - the second most prized level of exhibits in Chinese museums - and 64 "third-level antiques," showcasing the ancient Miao ethnic minority culture.
The Miao is one of China's 55 official minority groups and famous for their silver accessories and embroidery.
Early in the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), Miao people settled in the Wuxi area, today's eastern Guizhou Province and western Hunan Province. From there they formed communities in areas which include Guizhou, Hunan, Yunnan, Sichuan and Guangdong provinces and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Highlights of the exhibition include a hexagonal hat brooch, an azure satin embroidered woman's coat and a floral-patterned silver collar composed of several collars.
The hexagonal hat brooch, made during the Republic of China period (1911-1949), is an accessory attached to Miao people's hats. While no bigger than a fingernail, this example is engraved with an abacus, a sword, a book, a key, a ruler and the Chinese characters "库一" and "乙丑" And on the bottom in inscribed the maker's name "杨金顺"
The azure satin embroidered coat is a traditional Miao costume dating from the Qing Dynasty worn by women during festivities. The cuffs are embroidered with auspicious designs, featuring phoenix and peony images.
The embroidery on the lower hem is the pattern of ruyi, a ceremonial scepter in Buddhism that also features as a talisman.
Silver collars are common accessories among Miao women. An example in the exhibition dates from the late Qing Dynasty and features four collars with identical embossed floral patterns. The detail is such that even the stamen and foliage vein can be seen clearly.
Miao people regard Chi You - head of the ancient Jiuli tribe that existed during the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors era (2852 BC to 2070 BC) in Chinese mythology - as their ancestor.
According to legend, Chi You was the first person to make metal weapons and tools in China. It is said this founded the Miao tradition of silverwork.
Today, many Miao people consider silver accessories a symbol of womanhood. An old saying claims that "A Miao woman cannot live without silver accessories."
There is also a tradition of charms and amulets behind traditional Miao silver accessories.
Miao craftspeople use the points of maple leaves to connect different patterns in silver accessories because they believe the maple tree is the incarnation of the weapon in Chi You's hand when he died fighting the Yellow Emperor, another famous figure of Chinese mythology. The maple leaves turned red as they were dyed with Chi You's blood.
Another common totem in Miao silver accessories is a fish, which symbolizes abundant fertility.
Patterns featuring fish are engraved on silver accessories to pray for offspring.
Miao people also wear silver accessories to ward off the evil. In Miao legend, only people with silver accessories can escape evil.
Date: Through March 31
Address: 334 Xiaohe Rd
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
