Published September 19, 2018 at 9:55 PM Updated September 23, 2018 at 4:22 PM
For centuries, the focus has been on his story. Now, it’s time to learn hers. CGTN gives you a glimpse inside the Forbidden City, to meet the empresses who defied expectations and helped define a dynasty.
The Empresses of China’s Last Empire
Treasures from inside the Palace Museum in Beijing are now on display in the U.S. It’s the first major international exhibit to offer this rare look inside the court of the last empire: the Qing Dynasty. Nearly 200 objects help weave this tale of power, politics and life inside the palace.
Power and Politics Inside the Palace
The complex relationship between China and the U.S. has evolved over the years, encompassing international rivalry and economies that are intertwined. Some of it can trace its roots back to the late 19th century, and a formidable figure from China’s last Dynasty.
Her story is being told through dozens of items on display at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA in the U.S. It’s a rare glimpse inside the Qing Dynasty and into the lives of its empresses.
The Qing Dynasty Meets the Small Screen
Their stories have leaped from the pages of history and transformed into cyber-sensations. Costume dramas focused on the Qing Dynasty are shattering online viewership records, adding to the renewed interest in China’s last empire and its empresses.
Michael Berry discusses our fascination with China’s last dynasty
To find out why the Qing dynasty has such a hold on people both inside and outside of China, CGTN’s Asieh Namdar spoke with Michael Berry, an author and professor of contemporary Chinese cultural studies at the University of California, Los Angeles.
More about the exhibit
Curator Jan Stuart explains the difficult process of transitioning exhibits with Chinese artifacts
Jan Stuart will oversee the transition of an exhibition of Qing Dynasty artifacts when it comes to Washington in March. She’s the Curator of Chinese Art at the Smithsonian Intitution’s Freer-Sackler Museum. CGTN’s Elaine Reyes spoke with her about the work that goes into bringing an exhibition like this to the U.S.
Curator Jan Stuart discusses US-China collaboration on the Qing Dynasty exhibit
Curators timed the exhibition on the Qing Dynasty empresses to coincide with the 40th anniversary of China and the U.S. establishing diplomatic ties. Curator Jan Stuart is part of the team behind the exhibition. She says it took four years and several trips to the Forbidden City to research. CGTN’s Elaine Reyes spoke with her about the level of collaboration between the two nations.
PHOTO GALLERY: Qing Dynasty exhibit
Ritual space in the Main Hall of the Palace of Longevity and Health. Courtesy of the Palace Museum, Beijing.
Empress Dowager Cixi. Photographed by Yu Xunling (1874–1943), Guangxu period, 1903–05, print from glassplate negative, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives, FSA A.13 SC-GR-262, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, Purchase.
Ewer with lady and boy in garden on two sides Imperial Workshop, probably Beijing
Qianlong period, probably 1760s or 1770s
Cloisonné and painted enamel, copper and gold alloy with polychrome enamels and gilding, coral, turquoise, and lapis lazuli
15 3⁄8 × 11 in. (39 × 28 cm) Palace Museum, Gu11450
Xunling; 24.1 x 17.8 cm.(9.5 x 7 in.); Cixi, Empress Dowager of China, 1835-1908, Photographs, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., Purchase
Pair of platform shoes with tiger heads, the character for longevity, and bats Guangxu period, 1875–1908 Appliqué, silk satin; platforms: wood core covered with cotton, glass beads 6 7⁄8 × 8 1⁄4 × 3 15⁄16 in. (17.5 × 21 × 10 cm) each Palace Museum, Gu61568
Empress Dowager Cixi. Katharine A. Carl (United States, 1865–1938), Guangxu period, 1903, painting: oil on canvas; frame: camphor wood, transfer from the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, S2011.16.1-2a-ap.
Hairpin with figure and vase 18th or 19th century Pearls, sapphire, coral, turquoise, kingfisher feather, and silver with gilding
5 3⁄8 × 2 1⁄8 in. (13.7 × 5.4 cm)
Palace Museum, Gu10130
Pair of bracelets with bats, peaches, and flowers Probably 19th or early 20th century
Tortoiseshell with coral, kingfisher feather, pearls, ruby, jadeite, tourmaline, and silver with gilding 2 7⁄16 in. (6.2 cm) interior diam.
Palace Museum, Gu10371
Hairpin with crab and reed Daoguang period, 1834 or earlier Jade (nephrite), kingfisher feather, pearls, ruby, and silver with gilding
7 7⁄8 × 2 3⁄4 in. (20 × 7 cm) Palace Museum, Gu10223
Dressing case with mirror stand and handheld mirror. Qianlong period, mid- to late 18th century, with later repairs, lacquer with gold and polychrome decoration on wood core, zitan wood, suanzhi wood,
mother-of-pearl, bone, metal with gilding; wood-framed mirror with embroidered silk case, 16 3⁄4 × 16 1⁄4 × 16 1⁄4 in. (42.5 × 41.3 × 41.3 cm) with the case closed, Palace Museum, Gu180527.
One of a pair of “precious treasures” display cabinets (detail) Yongzheng or Qianlong period, 1723–95 Lacquer with gold on wood core, metal with gilding, and ivory 63 3⁄8 × 34 1⁄16 × 13 9⁄16 in. (161 × 86.5 × 34.5 cm)
Palace Museum, Gu207580
Looking at Plum Blossoms from Yinzhen’s Twelve Ladies Court painters, Beijing, possibly including Zhang Zhen (active late
17th–early 18th century) or his son Zhang Weibang (about 1725– about 1775)
Kangxi period, 1709–23 Hanging scroll, ink and color on silk 72 7⁄16 × 38 9⁄16 in. (184 × 98 cm) Palace Museum, Gu6458-8/12
Festive robe with bats, clouds, and the character for longevity Probably Imperial Silk Manufactory, Nanjing (weaving), and Imperial Workshop, Beijing (tailoring) Qianlong period, 1785 or earlier Patterned silk satin and embroidery, polychrome silk and metallicwrapped threads on silk fabric
56 5⁄16 × 70 1⁄16 in. (143 × 178 cm)
Palace Museum, Gu42136
Court hat with phoenixes (detail)
Probably Imperial Workshop, Beijing
18th or 19th century Sable, velvet, silk floss, pearls, tiger’s-eye stone, lapis lazuli, glass,
birch bark and metal with gilding, and kingfisher feather 14 1⁄2 × 10 3⁄5 in. (37 × 27 cm) Palace Museum, Gu60084
Court hat with phoenixes (detail) Probably Imperial Workshop, Beijing 18th or 19th century Sable, velvet, silk floss, pearls, tiger’s-eye stone, lapis lazuli, glass,
birch bark and metal with gilding, and kingfisher feather 14 1⁄2 × 10 3⁄5 in. (37 × 27 cm) Palace Museum, Gu60084
Pair of socks with phoenixes and other birds
Workshop, probably Jiangsu or Zhejiang province Kangxi period, 1662–1722 Embroidery, polychrome, metallic-wrapped, and peacock-filamentwrapped threads on silk satin with silk damask and silk lining
19 1⁄16 × 9 5⁄8 in. (48.5 × 24.5 cm) each
Palace Museum, Gu61795
Five-panel screen with phoenixes and birds in landscape (detail) Workshop, probably Guangzhou Qianlong period, probably 1775 or earlier Panels: cloisonné, copper alloy with polychrome enamels and gilding; frame: zitan wood and nan wood 116 15⁄16 × 151 3⁄16 × 12 3⁄16 in. (297 × 384 × 31 cm)
Palace Museum, Gu210730
Seal of empress with double-headed dragon with box, tray, lock, key, and plaques Imperial Workshop, Beijing Republican period, 1922
Gold alloy with silk tassels Seal: 4 × 5 1⁄2 × 5 1⁄2 in. (10 × 14 × 14 cm) Palace Museum, Gu167075
Court artists Empress Xiaoxian Chun (1712-1748) China Qing dynasty, second half of 18th century, with 19th-century repainting Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk 108 1/4 x 51 9/16 inches (275 x 131 cm) Gift of Mrs. Elizabeth Sturgis Hinds,1956
Peabody Essex Museum, E33619
Photo: Nikki Reeves
Photo: Nikki Reeves
Walking stick with bird-shaped finial. Qianlong period, 1770s or 1780s. Chongqing, the longest living empress in Chinese history, enjoyed extraordinary health and traveled widely, even in her seventies and eighties. This walking stick with a jade turtledove, a symbol of longevity, illustrates the close relationship between Chongqing and her only son, the Qianlong emperor. Whenever possible, Qianlong’s day opened with a visit to his mother. when official duty kept him away, a walking stick like this one would act on his behalf, metaphorically accompanying and supporting his beloved mother. (Photo: Nikki Reeves)
Map of the Forbidden City at the Empresses of China exhibit. (Photo: Nikki Reeves)
Empresses of China's Forbidden City exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum in Boston. (Photo: Nikki Reeves)
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. AcceptRejectRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.