The British Museum: Late Qing Dynasty Special Exhibition

This special exhibition features several striking kingfisher feather art pieces, as well as a three-dimensional kingfisher feather screen, whose details are incredibly beautiful—it's fair to say that photos can hardly capture the texture of the actual objects. On the dressing table, how can there be kingfisher feather art without carved red lacquer? A dowry without carved red lacquer would hardly evoke the essence of the traditional 'ten-mile red makeup'. The black knotted carving also looks like real textiles from a distance. Among the snuff bottles, there is a rare one shaped like a Buddha's hand, as well as fans and ivory carvings from the Thirteen Factories of Guangzhou. The processing of goods made to order and materials provided by clients during this period is quite interesting, and the Thirteen Factories Museum in Guangzhou also has many exhibits on this topic. The curator is the head of the Chinese Gallery at the British Museum, and many of the exhibits come from other museums and private collectors. Setting aside some controversial points, this exhibition actually provides a comprehensive display of various aspects of life in the late Qing Dynasty, offering foreign visitors a great opportunity to appreciate the beauty of traditional Chinese handicrafts. The exhibition runs until October 2023, and it is necessary to book tickets in advance on the official website and choose a time slot. It is recommended to set aside half a day to visit this special exhibition, the Chinese Gallery, and Room 95 upstairs, which houses the David Vases, for a quite complete themed tour.