Shanghai
museum, established in
1952, is located in
People’s Square,
reputing as one of the
four largest museums in
China. Covering a
construction space of
38,000 sqm, the museum
is 29.5 meters high with
five floors aboveground
and two underground.
Opened to visitors at
the end of 1995, the
museum contains 120,000
cultural relics of all
the historical periods
in ancient China, in
which collections of
bronzes, ceramics,
paintings, calligraphy
and ancient sculptures
are among the best in
China.
The main galleries in
this museum include:
Gallery of Ancient
Chinese Bronze
Bronze ware is regarded
as an important symbol
of the Chinese ancient
civilization. About 440
pieces of ancient
Chinese bronzes,
including the bronze
wine vessel, food
vessel, water vessel,
musical instrument,
weapon and some other
vessels from the Xia
dynasty to the Warring
States Period are
exhibited in this
gallery. With unique
designs and long
history, they are
marvelous treasure of
the Chinese cultural
heritage respected
highly in the world.
Gallery of Ancient
Chinese Calligraphy
Chinese calligraphy
sprouted in the Shang
dynasty and matured in
the Eastern Zhou
dynasty. Official script
was popular in Han
dynasty, while cursive
script, regular script
and running hand emerged
during Weijing Period
and flourished in the
Tang and Song dynasties.
About 100 essential
pieces of calligraphy,
including original
handwritings of some
eminent personages, are
displayed here, showing
the development of
Chinese calligraphy.
Gallery of Ancient
Chinese Ceramics
About 500 pieces of
various fine ceramics
from the Neolithic Era
to the end of the Qing
dynasty are displayed
here. A large number of
them are the
high-quality products
from famous porcelain
making kilns, some have
never been shown before
and some are very rare
in the whole world.
Gallery of Ancient
Chinese Paintings
About 140 pieces of
famous paintings, from
various dynasties,
schools and masters, are
preserved in this
gallery. With different
styles and characters,
they embody the colorful
and splendid Chinese
culture. Even the
gallery itself is
decorated in ancient
architectural style.
Gallery of Ancient
Chinese Sculpture
About 127 pieces of
ancient sculptures,
mainly stone, wood,
clay, pottery and
cast-bronze sculptures
from the Warring States
period to the Ming
dynasty, are stored in
this hall. Chinese
Buddhist sculpture and
figurine-modeling art is
the main subject.
Besides, Gallery of
Chinese Furniture,
Jades, Arts and Crafts
of Minority, Ancient
Numismatics and Seals
are also worthy of
visiting. |