China News Service, Nanjing, September 29th (Reporter Xu Shanshan) On September 30th, the special exhibition "There is a Glazed Pagoda in Nanjing" will be opened at the special exhibition hall of the Nanjing Dabaoen Temple Ruins Museum. More than one hundred pieces (sets) of precious cultural relics and related exhibits connect the process of the Glazed Pagoda from its construction to its introduction to the world. Featured exhibition items such as the restored sand table, Zheng He's "Cabin", and "Niehoff's Living Room" give historical stories an accessible setting.
In 1856, the glazed pagoda of Dabaoen Temple was destroyed by war. Today, 170 years later, people who have never seen it in person can still encounter it again and again from ruins, cultural relics, travel notes, prints and even architectural models. This exhibition has received support from more than 30 museums and related institutions from 10 countries. It brings together relevant cultural relics, documents and research results. It is a relatively concentrated and comprehensive presentation of thematic content related to the Dabaoen Temple site in recent years. Among them, glazed components from the collections of three cultural and museum institutions, including Nanjing Museum, Nanjing Municipal Museum, and Nanjing Archaeological Research Institute, are displayed simultaneously for the first time.
"Although the Glazed Pagoda of Dabaoen Temple has disappeared for 170 years, its construction itself is the crystallization of ancient Chinese wisdom and has also witnessed the exchanges and mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilizations." Wang Wenxi, director of the Dabaoen Temple Site Museum, said that this pagoda embodies the beautiful emotions of human beings. "We hope that through an immersive way and telling the story of cultural relics, this story can live in the hearts of people today."
Qiu Linwan, the curator of this exhibition and the head of the exhibition department of the Great Baoen Temple Ruins Museum, said that the exhibition focuses on specific people such as the emperor who decided to build it, Zheng He who completed it, and Nihov who spread it to the West. It "integrates the huge history into each person's story and establishes an emotional connection with the audience." In the exhibition, "Zheng He's Cabin" is a highlight. The audience can learn about Zheng He's seven voyages to the West and his involvement in supervising the construction of Bao'en Temple.
Qi Haining, a professor at the Department of Cultural Relics and Museum Studies at the School of Social Development of Nanjing Normal University, said that the glazed components in the exhibition hall have two meanings: on the one hand, they are physical witnesses of the glazed pagoda itself of Dabaoen Temple in the Ming Dynasty, and on the other hand, they are the most intuitive way for people today to understand the glazed pagodas of the Ming Dynasty. "Through the actual objects of colored glaze, we can understand the construction techniques of colored glaze in the Ming Dynasty, and at the same time, we can also understand the artistic style and artistic content that made the colored glaze pagoda popular all over the world."
During the National Day holiday, the Da Bao En Tower will also hold a National Day-themed lighting ceremony, lighting up the tower with red lights and shadows. The museum has also developed cultural and creative products such as illuminated glazed tower refrigerator magnets and specialty biscuits, allowing young people to experience this period of history. "A building can disappear, but the memories, emotions and connections built around it will not disappear." Wang Wenxi said.
