Unveiling Qing Dynasty treasures: A new exhibition at the Hong Kong Palace Museum

The Hong Kong Palace Museum is set to captivate audiences with its latest exhibition, showcasing 18 grade-one national treasures from Qing Dynasty military collections. 

Opening on Wednesday, January 22, in Gallery 4, "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Art of Armaments -- Qing Dynasty Military Collection from The Palace Museum" promises to be a landmark event for both history enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.

This year-long exhibition will feature approximately 190 military artifacts, including helmets, bows, arrows, and equestrian equipment, all sourced from the Palace Museum in Beijing. 

Among these, the standout items include a Qianlong-period replica of the helmet used by the legendary Nurhaci.

Daisy Wang Yiyou, deputy director of the Hong Kong Palace Museum, noted the exhibition's impressive scale, exceeding the typical 120 artifacts found in most exhibitions. 

“Items such as large-scale battle paintings and archery equipment need to be refreshed every three months to ensure preservation,” she said, adding the delicate nature of many of these relics made from fragile materials.

Curator Chou Wei-chiang emphasized the importance of multimedia displays, which will enhance visitor engagement by allowing them to explore the full collection, even if they can't attend all four phases of the exhibition.

Divided into six distinct sections -- “The Rise of the Eight Banners and Qing Rule,” “Swords and Sabres across the State,” “Equestrian Archery and Firearms,” “Military Drills, Inspections, and Rites,” “Images as Histories,” and “Coastal Defence” -- the exhibition offers a comprehensive overview of Qing military history.

Museum director Louis Ng Chi-wa said that the timing of the exhibition, coinciding with the Lunar New Year, is expected to draw over 500,000 visitors during its run. 

Lou Wei, executive deputy director of the museum, expressed hopes that the exhibition will resonate globally, saying, “We aim to share the historical stories of the Palace Museum’s treasures with both Chinese and international visitors.”

(Charlotte Lam)