What's on

Motifs of history

More than 160 fine examples of archaic bronze work are on show at the Xinjiang Museum to take the audience in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, back in time to the heyday of ceremonial bronzes thousands of years ago, and to unlock Chinese civilization through a variety of shapes and patterns.

The exhibition, titled Ancient China in Bronze Ware, is the inaugural show to open at the museum a hall dedicated to displaying collections of the National Museum of China in Beijing, under a cooperation mechanism established by the two institutions.

The opening exhibition introduces the evolution of bronze casting, the diverse purposes, shapes and ornamental motifs of the wares, as well as the inscribed characters on those objects, as evidence of history and the formation of Chinese culture.

Highlighted exhibits include a square zun (vessel used as a wine container). This object dates to the late period of the Shang Dynasty (c. 16th century-11th century BC), of which the inscriptions on ritual bronze wares record its history and major events. The work features rich and dignified patterns, in three sections from top to bottom. The exhibition runs through to Oct 7.

10 am-6 pm, closed on Mondays.

581 Xibei Road, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

0991-455-2826.