At the Guimet Museum in Paris, treasures from the Chinese Golden Age

Hexagonal vases decorated with flowers and halberds, gold filigree, Ming dynasty (1368-1644). PETER VIEM KWOK’S DONG BO ZHAI COLLECTION (COLLECTED IN XI’AN QUJIANG MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS) After the art of porcelain, which the Guimet Museum put in the spotlight, in June, as part of the China 2024 program, celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, place for goldsmithing. “Bling-bling!” », Comments, in an amused tone, the president of the Parisian establishment, Yannick Lintz. Thanks to a loan from the Qujiang Museum of Fine Arts, in Xi’an, east-central China, the National Museum of Asian Arts on Place Iéna, in Paris, presents an extraordinary collection of objects and jewelry gold from the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). It was formed by the Chinese businessman and patron of Vietnamese origin Peter Vien Kwok, founder in 2012 of the Xi’an establishment and, in addition to his investments in art, owner of six castles in Bordeaux. The number of pieces presented is quite small (121 objects and jewelry, mainly dating from the 16th century and made by the imperial goldsmith’s office), but the collection is no less exceptional. Some of the gold pieces from the Ming era were melted down in the following centuries in order to accompany fashions with new creations. The objects found on the art market were saved from destruction by the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) and, discovered during archaeological excavations uncovering princely or imperial tombs, they were offered as diplomatic gifts or looted during wars. Hairpins with dragon decoration, gold filigree set with rubies, Ming dynasty (1368-1644). PETER VIEM KWOK’S DONG BO ZHAI COLLECTION (COLLECTED IN XI’AN QUJIANG MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS) Contemporary with the Italian Renaissance, the Ming period (meaning “brilliant”) is one of the most important periods of Chinese civilization. It is marked by maritime explorations – including those of Zheng He (1371-1435) – from which all kinds of riches were brought back from distant lands, through the construction of the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. A time when gold came to supplant jade, until then considered the most precious material, for objects intended for worship and at court. Jewelry scenography Thanks to trade with the Americas and mining production in southeast China, metal circulated in abundance. Advantages of this material: it does not oxidize and can be easily modeled (an educational video produced with the School of Jewelry Arts explains the different techniques, from hammering to filigree, including chasing), offering artisans and artists have complete freedom to express their creativity. This was stimulated by strong demand from elites and, in particular, from the new class made up of wealthy merchants, who aspired to reproduce the way of life of the court. You have 45.88% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.



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