September 7, 2024

Gold from Dragon City: Masterpieces of Three Yan from Liaoning, 337– 436 at China Institute Gallery, September 5, 2024 – January 5, 2025

“Treasures from nearly 70 years of archeological excavations in China are revealed in a landmark exhibition at China Institute Gallery this fall. Gold from Dragon City: Masterpieces of Three Yan from Liaoning, 337–436 presents artworks and cultural objects on view for the first time in the United States from September 5, 2024 through January 5, 2025. The exhibition features sculptures, bronze mirrors, inkstones, imperial seals, equestrian objects, and ceramic vessels, as well as jewelry and ornaments, many made of gold. The unearthed archeological discoveries are from ‘Dragon City,’ now present-day Chaoyang in Liaoning Province. A fully illustrated catalogue will accompany the exhibition.” — China Institute Gallery

“This extraordinary exhibition illustrates the remarkable achievements of the Three Yan civilization, which is now no longer lost to history. We have gained a deeper understanding of how ethnic integration and the cultural exchange of East and West inspired and enriched cultures along the Silk Road,” said Willow Weilan Hai. “Just as in today’s world, cultural exchange serves as the most important bridge to promoting mutual understanding and progress. Over my three decades of organizing exhibitions at China Institute Gallery, I have sought to present an exhibition that illustrates this crucial theme and am so pleased to present it now.”

Head of a foreigner. Tang Dynasty (618–907). Grey pottery. Excavated in 2003 from old city ruins of Chaoyang. Liaoning Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology.
Offering Food and Libation. Original: Sixteen Kingdoms, Former Yan (337-70). Facsimile painted from tomb mural excavated at Yuantaizi, Chaoyang in 1982. Liaoning Provincial Museum.
Vessel in the shape of a tiger. Sixteen Kingdoms, Northern Yan (407-36). Bronze; H. 23.1, L.38.5, Weight 6.3 kg. Excavated in 1965 from the tomb of Feng Sufu (d. 415), Xiguanyingzi, Beipiao. Liaoning Provincial Museum.
Hat ornament. Sixteen Kingdoms, Former Yan (337–70). Gold; Base: H. 5 cm, W. 4.6–4.8 cm; Branches, W. 13.7 cm, L. 17.8 cm with remaining 35 leafs. Excavated in 1989 from tomb No. 2 of Tiancaogou, Xiyingzixiang, Chaoyang. Liaoning Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology.
Ring inlaid with green and blue stones. Western Jin (266-317). Gold. Excavated in 1957 from tomb No. 2 at Fangshencun, Xusihuayingzixiang, Beipiao. Liaoning Provincial Museum.
Seal of Duke of Fanyang. Sixteen Kingdoms, Northern Yan (407-36). Gold; H.1.9 cm,
W. 2.35cm, L. 2.27cm, Weight 100g. Excavated in 1965 from the tomb of Feng Sufu (d. 415), Xiguanyingzi, Beipiao. Liaoning Provincial Museum.

The exhibition is jointly organized by China Institute Gallery and the Liaoning Provincial Museum. Willow Weilan Hai, Senior Vice President of China Institute in America and Director and Chief Curator of China Institute Gallery, directed and executed the exhibition. It was curated by Dr. Liu Ning, Deputy Director of Liaoning Provincial Museum, with assistance from the Liaoning Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology and the Chaoyang County Museum.

Images courtesy China Institute Gallery.