By Raynald C Rivera
DOHA: Lifelike terracotta warrior figures flown from China act as the centrepiece of ‘Treasures of China’ exhibition which opened yesterday at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA).
The five haunting figures dating back to the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE) are part of 116 objects on display at the major exhibition organised as a highlight of the Qatar China 2016 Year of Culture.
The centuries-old sculptures belong to the collection of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum Site Museum in which many of over 8,000 figures can be found. The terracotta army was created and buried with China’s first emperor Qin Shi Huang with the belief that they would protect him in the afterlife.
This is the first time the artefacts have travelled to a GCC country for an exhibition, Xu He, curator of art exhibitions in China told reporters at a preview yesterday.
Apart from the terracotta sculptures, the exhibition offers visitors a rich collection of objects representing Chinese creativity and craftsmanship including exquisite pottery, bronzes, jades, porcelain, gold, silver, and enamel, among others chosen from five museums and heritage institutions in China.
The show takes visitors on a journey back in time to explore the glorious history and heritage of China spanning 5,000 years. It is divided into three sections namely “The Birth of Civilisation, Ceremonies and Kingdoms”; “Splendid Unification, Prosperity and the Silk Road” and “Porcelain, Imperial China and the Royal Arts” and encompasses all major historical periods of ancient China from the Neolithic period to the Qin Dynasty.
“This unique exhibition perfectly expresses the aims and ambitions of the Qatar China 2016 Year of Culture in promoting mutual understanding between both our countries,” said Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al Mahmoud, Acting CEO at Qatar Museums and adviser to H E the Chairperson, who opened the exhibition.
Educational programmes and workshops for students, families and schools will run parallel to the exhibition
Other workshops will also be held in which schoolchildren will sculpt soldiers out of clay, inspired by the Terracotta Army and learn about its history and purpose.
The expo runs until January 7 at MIA’s Special Exhibitions Gallery.
The Peninsula
