Curio in National Palace Museum, Qianlong reign (1736-1795), Qing dynasty

Welcome to the National Palace Museum's collection of curios from the Qianlong reign of the Qing dynasty! These pieces are a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of Chinese artisans during this period. Here, you will find cloisonne and painted enamel butter tea jars, round bamboo-veneered curio boxes with lotus blossom decor, inkstones for imperial usage, carved polychrome lacquer boxes in the shape of conjoined spheres and square sandalwood curio cases. All of these pieces are unique and beautiful, and they provide us with a glimpse into the lives of people during the Qianlong reign. Come explore these amazing artifacts today!

1. Cloisonne and painted enamel butter tea jar

This tea jar was made during the Qianlong reign (1736-1795) and is a beautiful example of cloisonné enamelware from that period.

2. Round Bamboo-Veneered Curio Box with Lotus Blossom Decor (Containing 27 Curios)

This curio box has been joined by bamboo thread and has a "chu-huang" bamboo veneer carved with lotuses on the outer surface. The design allows for the four fan-shaped quadrants of the body to be either spread out in a straight line or turned around 360° to form a square

3. Inkstones for Imperial Usage

This inkstone was made from the "area of Longxing" in the northeast. The Qianlong Emperor used this inkstone and it was given as a state gift.

4. Carved Polychrome Lacquer Box in the Shape of Conjoined Spheres

This is a Double-union Treasure Chest from the Qianlong reign of the Great Qing Dynasty. It is made of two round vessels conjoined together and the surface was applied with two kinds of colored lacquer. The bottom of the box is dark yellow in color, while the top is in bright red.

5. Square Sandalwood Curio Case (Containing 32 Curios)

This curio box looks like a plain container when it is closed. The advantage of this type of container is that it does not take up much space in storage. The outside of the box appears quite simple, but it is actually very ornate.