Splendid Persia—The Essence of Iranian Cultural Relics Exhibition

Location: The East Wing Gallery of Wumen at the Palace Museum in Beijing Extended to May 5, 2024 Reservation required Iran, located in Western Asia, is an ancient civilization with a long history. This exhibition brings together 216 cultural relics from various museums in Iran, showcasing the beauty of Iranian art to the public through architecture, sculpture, ceramics, glass, metalwork, calligraphy, painting, and more. For the first time, I saw various types of 'Lai Tong,' which was quite novel. There were boot-shaped ceramic 'Lai Tong,' connected-pot ceramic 'Lai Tong' (Image 4), ox-shaped ceramic 'Lai Tong' (Image 5), and ram-head ceramic 'Lai Tong' (Image 6), among others. There was also a particularly beautiful golden-winged lion 'Lai Tong' (Image 7). Various colorful ceramics, colored glassware, gold and silver wares, and inscribed steles were a feast for the eyes. There were also various beautiful gold and silver jewelry that dazzled the viewers. The use of gold and silver in crafting art pieces is one of the highlights of Iranian art, with techniques such as granulation, filigree, and inlay having taken root and flourished in Iranian art from early times. All the exhibits undoubtedly showcase the immortal charm of ancient Iranian art. The Persian civilization, with its broad and inclusive cultural traits, has become a world-renowned center of ancient civilization, glorious and magnificent, and ever-lasting. Friends who have the time can savor it carefully and gain a lot.