Shanghai's new exhibition has many artworks more moving than the 280 million Chicken Cup

Flew back to Magic City yesterday just for the Long Museum's major new exhibition in 2025 Since the Long Museum opened 13 years ago, this is the first exhibition focusing mainly on ancient artifacts, and it's stunning. The four sections "Jinshi Shou," "Qi Zai Dao," "Si Wu Xie," and "Wu Jin Cang" feature about 200 carefully selected precious relics from the Shang and Zhou dynasties to the Ming and Qing dynasties, including oracle bones, bronzes, jade, porcelain, Buddha statues, furniture, and more, showcasing the pinnacle of 3,000 years of Chinese civilization and craftsmanship. Must-see treasures👇 🍵 Chicken Cup The centerpiece must be Mr. Liu’s Chicken Cup bought at Sotheby’s (located deeper inside the exhibition hall). At 280 million, it set a world record for Chinese porcelain auctions. It was last exhibited ten years ago; this tiny piece comes with a natural soft light filter! But I prefer 👉 the pink enamel floral bowl with openwork 💖 ❣️ Red Yama embroidery Thangka The Chicken Cup is great, but I was amazed by the vividly colored Thangka. I’ve seen many Thangkas in museums across Europe and America, but none had the impact of this one. The gold and multicolored silk threads are exquisitely crafted. It’s said it was last exhibited 8 years ago. No camera can capture its true beauty 👀 🦴 Shang dynasty oracle bone inscriptions (34 examples) Covering rituals, warfare, hunting, rain prayers, and tributes. Bronze square pot with gold, silver, and glass inlay and nipple pattern Intricate craftsmanship representing the peak of Warring States luxury art. 💡 Han dynasty kneeling official jade lamp/plate The only visible jade lamp figurine found in archaeological digs and surviving relics to date. 🩵 Northern Song Ru kiln sky-blue glazed basin Ru kiln pieces are extremely rare worldwide. The glaze is like congealed fat, sky blue with a hint of green, with a translucent crackle. It embodies Song dynasty aesthetics and is also the sky blue color of Jay Chou’s "Blue and White Porcelain." 🐲 Yuan dynasty blue-and-white large jar with water wave, cloud, dragon, and lotus patterns Stable shape, glaze white with a hint of blue. Last time I saw many at Topkapi Palace in Turkey. 🌼 Qing Kangxi multicolor twelve-month flower god cups A set based on the number of months, one flower for each month, accompanied by poetry. You can check out which month is your favorite! Mr. Liu Yiqian himself is really down-to-earth!! In his opening speech, he said: "I didn’t even finish middle school, how did I end up on this (collecting) path? Maybe it’s fate from a past life, I’m not sure, but I feel I’ve taken the right path. When it comes to auctions, I get impulsive when I see something fresh. I feel if I like it, I just buy it! For the Long Museum, we are just guardians of these cultural treasures." This exhibition dims all the lights, focusing on the exhibits, creating a deep and tranquil atmosphere. Buddha statues on the stairs are beautifully illuminated by projections, very moving. Though photography is not very friendly, it’s perfect for quietly appreciating the art. Definitely a special exhibition worth visiting three times! 📖 Tips: 🎫 "The Grand View of Heaven and Earth: Memories of Civilization Across Time" ⏳ 3/22/2025 - 6/29/2025 🌸 In a few days, the cherry blossoms at the museum entrance will bloom even more beautifully