Other Curio in National Palace Museum, part1

Welcome to the National Palace Museum's collection of curios! Here you can explore a variety of unique and interesting artifacts from China's imperial past. We have a range of different objects on display, including a Silver Raft Cup of "Zhang Qian Riding a Raft" with the mark of Zhu Bishan, a Glass-body Painted Enamel Snuff Bottle in the Shape of a Bamboo Section, a Painted Enamel Vase with Dragons and Peony Decoration, a Cloisonne Box with Lotus Decoration, a Copper-body Painted Enamel Snuff Bottle with a Maki-e Floral Lacquer Inlay, Ivory Balls of Nested Concentric Layers with Human Figures in Openwork Relief, a Brush Holder with Letter-reading Scene, a Pair of "Bovet" Pocket Watches with Pearls and Painted Enamel, a Glass Inside-Painted Snuff Bottle with a Traveling Scene, and a Ch'in (Chinese Unfretted Zither). Come take a look at these incredible artifacts today!

1. Silver raft cup  of "Zhang Qian Riding a Raft" with the mark of Zhu Bishan

The silver raft cup is based on the story of Zhang Qian of the Han dynasty, who was said to have ridden a raft to trace the source of the Yellow River. He eventually travelled to the Milky Way, where he met the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.

2. Glass-body Painted Enamel Snuff Bottle in the Shape of a Bamboo Section

Enamelware from the Yongzheng reign was similar to that from the Kangxi reign, but reached new levels of sophistication.

3. Painted enamel vase with dragons and peony decoration

During the Yongzheng reign, painted enamelware from the West became popular in China. These pieces were brightly colored and very detailed. This vase shows traditional Chinese dragons and floral patterns. It is an example of how Chinese craftsmanship was influenced by Western techniques.

4. Cloisonne Box with Lotus Decoration

This lotus cloisonné box is composed of filigree work on a copper body. The flat lid is decorated with lotus blossoms and pods. The sides of both the box and lid are curved after the shape of lotus petals.

5. Copper-body Painted Enamel Snuff Bottle with a Maki-e Floral Lacquer Inlay

The snuff bottle has a decorative style that combines East and West. The panel in the center of the object represents plum blossoms painted in gold lacquer, representing the Japanese style of maki-e that was popular in European markets.

6. Ivory balls of nested concentric layers with human figures in openwork relief

This set of movable ivory balls, nested in concentric layers, comprises four main parts: a dragon fish hook, two ladies-in-waiting carved in the round, a set of hollow nested concentric balls, and a pendant depicting the Heavenly Twins of Conjugal Felicity.

7. Brush Holder with Letter-reading Scene

A segment of bamboo has been carved into a brush holder, with a flat mouth and the dividing part of the bamboo as the bottom. The outside is carved in relief with the image of a lady with an elegant hairstyle standing before a screen reading a handscroll.

8. Pair of "Bovet" pocket watches with pearls and painted enamel

Since they were first brought to China during the Ming and Qing eras, western clocks and watches have been highly prized and much beloved by the imperial court, government officials, and merchant class. In the modern era, they have become an important medium for cultural interaction between China and the west.

9. Glass Inside-Painted Snuff Bottle with a Traveling Scene

Snuff and snuff containers from Western countries first entered China in the late 17th century. At that time, various Western countries and the Vatican in Rome would often give snuff and snuff containers as gifts to the Chinese court.

10. Ch'in (Chinese unfretted zither)