The special exhibition Ritual Utensils, Musical Instruments and Costumes of the Kong (Confucius) Family Mansion opened at the China National Silk Museum on March 7. The exhibition is jointly organized by the China National Silk Museum and the Confucius Museum.
The exhibition is divided into three parts: “Confucius’s Cultural Cultivation”, “Enlighten People by Rituals and Music” and “Civilize People by Clothing”, showcasing nearly a hundred artifacts from the former collections of the Kong (Confucius) Family Mansion. These include musical instruments used in Confucian ritual ceremonies from various Chinese dynasties, and clothing belonging to the Duke of Yan Sheng (a hereditary title borne by successive direct male descendants of Confucius) from the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368–1911) to the Republic of China (1912–1949).
The Confucius Museum currently houses over a thousand ceremonial ritual vessels from the former collections of the Kong (Confucius) Family Mansion, spanning from the pre-Qin period to the Republic of China period, as well as thousands of costumes from the Ming and Qing dynasties belonging to the Duke of Yan Sheng. The China National Silk Museum is dedicated to the collection, conservation, research, exhibition, transmission and innovation of ancient Chinese silk costumes.
Costumes and rituals are closely linked and together they form integral parts of traditional Chinese culture. Jointly organized by the China National Silk Museum and the Confucius Museum, this exhibition aims to unveil the secrets of traditional Chinese costumes and explore the origins of ceremonial rituals and music in ancient China. In addition to interpreting these ancient practices, the exhibition also aims to demonstrate their significance and spirit in the contemporary era.
The exhibition is open until May 26, 2024.
Source: Chinakongzi.org
Image source: China National Silk Museum