The exhibit, "Imperial Tombs of China," at the Museum of Art on the BYU campus, is an unparalleled event and not to be missed.
Breathtaking in scope, 25 centuries of Chinese history and culture are revealed through excavated artifacts - some quite recently - selected from various museums throughout China. (According to the Chinese Bureau of Cultural Relics, the exhibit embodies the best Chinese art ever exported to the United Sates - surpassing even the "Son of Heaven" exhibit shown in Seattle several years ago.)"Imperial Tombs of China" presents close to 250 artifacts meant to accompany China's emperors and their courts into the next world. Among the treasures are: colossal bronze vessels from the Warring States period (481-211 B.C.); a jade burial suit sewn with threads of gold from the tomb of a Han dynasty prince; a stunning and well-preserved feather Drag-on and Phoenix Empress crown; a life-size terra cotta clay horse and warriors from the famous underground army, 6,000 strong, of Qin Shi-huang-di who died in 206 B.C. Also included are famous tri-color porcelain tomb guardians as well as Ming Dynasty gold, jade and gems that cannot be found in most American and European collections.
"There is no practical way someone could see this exhibition in China," explains James A. Mason, founding director of the Museum of Art. "To behold these rare cultural relics, you would have to travel throughout China and visit 18 different museums and cultural centers in nine of China's provinces.
"Few of us have the time or resources for such an adventure, so I feel confident in saying that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn about the oldest continuous civilization on Earth."
Ancient China sought to create underground worlds where death approximated life. Their emperor's tombs rivaled - and sometimes surpassed - their living ruler's opulent palaces.
Sima Qian, the Han Dynasty's court historian, described the burial of Qin Shi-huang-di, detailing the lavish 22-mile necropolis (city of the dead) the emperor had constructed over 37 years, using 700,000 laborers.
Qian wrote that the emperor's "sarcophagus was afloat on a mercury sea, lit by lamps burning human fat and dotted with wild gold geese." Jewels encrusted the ceiling; the furnishings were opulent.
His burial site included a military guard with thousands of painted terra cotta soldiers, horses and chariots. Peasants stumbled upon these legendary figures in 1974 while digging a well in a grove of persimmon trees south of Xiyang in the Shaanxi province. After reporting their discovery, government scientists began excavating, subsequently discovering four pits in a five-and-a-half acre area. The largest pit contained an estimated 6,000 larger-than-life-size figures; it is considered the premiere archaeological find of the 20th century. Five of these terra cotta pieces - a general, a warrior, a low-ranking officer, a midranking officer and a chariot horse baring its teeth - are included in the exhibit.
The oldest artifacts in the exhibit come from the tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng, a ruler during the Warring States period (475-221 B.C.). The tomb contained nearly 10 tons of bronze objects.
Also from the Warring States period are artifacts from the tomb of the King of Zhongshan. Three bronzes inlaid with gold and silver feature a vigilant rhinoceros, a mythical winged beast and a ferocious tiger devouring a fawn.
The exhibit has additional examples of burial artifacts, each revealing the classic beauty and elegance that symbolized the emperor's absolute power: Whenever the Wanli emperor made an appearance he sat on an elaborate carved throne in front of equally elaborate carved screens.
"Imperial Tombs of China" opens Wednesday, Nov. 1. Tickets are available at $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens, faculty, students and staff with identification, $5 for youth 5-18, $30 for families and $18 for season passes. Organized groups of 20 or more can get $8 tickets.
For tickets call (801) BYU1 or 1-800-322-BYU1. Free or reduced admissions are available to those who have membership with the Museum of Art.
Call (801) 378-8250 for additional information.