An exhibition titled “Glassware of the Qing Dynasty Court” kicks off at Zhejiang Provincial Museum’s Gushan Museum. The one hundred pieces imperial glassware is really an eye feast and a chance to learn how it was made, what it features, and why it is considered an important cultural heritage. It also testifies as an evidence the advancement of Chinese glass-making techniques.

The exhibition focuses primarily on monochromatic glass pieces, but it also features rare varieties such as enamel-painted and gold-flecked glassware. Many items are on display for the first time, including a blue glass ink-stone box with carved dragon motifs and inlaid gemstones from the Yongzheng era, and an enamel-decorated glass dagger from the Qianlong period. Other notable treasures include a coral-red glass double-fish vase (Qianlong period), a lemon-yellow glass vase with spiral patterns and a long neck (mid-Qing), and a milky-white glass water container with full-coverage enamel floral designs (Yongzheng period). They exemplify the peak of imperial glassware production techniques during the prime time (roughly a period under the reign of Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong) of the Qing Dynasty.

The exhibition will remain open until October 15. Head for Gushan to get a understand of the charm of Qing court’s glassware - a fine example of the technical legacy of making glass pieces in China.