Fragments of the Forbidden City

Author: Mao Xianmin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-06-01
Features: When it comes to visiting the Forbidden City to see its collection of artworks, most people want to see the bronze artifacts, distant from today and embodying the wisdom of ancestors. There are also calligraphy and painting treasures left over from various dynasties, where people truly understand the charm of ancient civilization and art, and everyone is reluctant to leave. Even the most typical leisure travelers must visit the Treasures Gallery and the Clock Gallery to broaden their horizons and marvel at them. In fact, there are still some collections in the Forbidden City that remain hidden in the depths or displayed in inconspicuous places, unnoticed by the public. These collections are not without value, each piece has its own story, and its extraordinary background. If experts were to speak of them, it would be just as fascinating and detailed, captivating people even more. We had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Mao Xianmin from the Palace Museum, who introduced us to the court treasures such as telescopes, glasses, canes, abacuses, ruyi (ornamental scepters), rubbing walnuts, and carpets. Mr. Mao said, these collections are like a few feathers of a phoenix, all shining with splendid brilliance. Thus, we named his manuscript "Fragments of the Forbidden City." Among the collections introduced in this book, the most interesting are undoubtedly the telescopes and glasses, as these were imported goods from the West. For any imported items, people would not be surprised in the slightest, but at that time, people viewed them with amazement. Because both of these items changed people's visual perception to some extent.