On March 27, the Luxembourg Cultural Relics exhibition is going to debut at Henan Museum, Zhengzhou City, Central China's Henan Province. The exhibition comprises a total of 210 pieces (sets) of exhibits from the National Museum of Archaeology, History, and Art of Luxembourg. On March 18th, these works have journeyed via the Zhengzhou-Luxembourg "Air Silk Road" to Henan Museum. Exhibits encompass a myriad of genres, e.g. stone artifacts, ceramic objects, arms, currency, maps, and canvas paintings. Furthermore, the elaborated display has tapped into film presentations, virtual reconstructions, and site-specific models.
On March 25, the journalist from Henan International Communication Center previsited Henan Museum to find the seamless progression through the historical tapestry of Luxembourg's evolution from classical to modern eras. The cultural and economic development weaved an intricate web, emanating the essence of the diverse culture of this captivating nation while representing the long-standing cultural exchange and mutual learning between China and Luxembourg.
These three Chinese porcelain plates were imported from the Dutch East India Company during A.D. 1662-1722. Additionally, many other exquisite Chinese ceramics could be dated back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. These porcelains, now ensconced in Luxembourg, have been imbued with new vitality and are revered by local nobility and connoisseurs. The locally crafted ceramics, however, meld together the indigenous artistic essence and aesthetic ambiance, embodying unique patterns of flora, vivid depictions of animals, and contrastive hues. Luxembourg porcelains, hence, distinguish themselves from the counterparts. These porcelains embody the works of art and historical repositories, vividly recounting the tale of intercultural exchanges between the East and the West.
Strolling the exhibition hall, several Roman-era slender-bottom double-ear wine vessels may catch your eyes. Evoking a sense of familiarity, their silhouettes are strikingly akin to the representative artifacts of the Yangshao period. Intriguingly, through repeated meticulous investigation and argumentation, the Yangyao small-mouthed bottle with a pointed bottom has been designated by certain experts as the earliest alcohol-making vessel or container in China. This cultural collision across time and space does provoke the ineffable recognition.
Roman-era slender-bottom double-ear wine vessels
Yangyao small-mouthed bottle with a pointed bottom
At the exhibition, each exquisite artifact seems like a messenger of time, transporting viewers back in time to the annals of Luxembourg's storied past.
It was a pair of Roman knight helmets that captivated the attention of the journalist. They register both the metal forging techniques and the strategic position of Luxembourg as a fortress in Europe during the Middle Ages. The intricate patterns etched onto the brass mask and the robust structure remind the valor and glory of knights from that era.
Another exhibit is a statue of the Virgin Mary. With a serene and noble visage, the mace in her hand stands for power and dignity. In her grasp lies baby Jesus whose right index pointing towards the heaven, signifying blessings and redemption.
The objects made in Luxembourg are featured with distinctive architectural designs and meticulously crafted ornamental patterns. These earthenware pieces boast a myriad of configurations, encompassing both traditional domestic wares such as bowls, plates, and pots, as well as an array of whimsical minor objects likes having basins and milk filters. There are also artworks specifically crafted for ornamentation. Their designs integrate seamlessly with various European artistic elements, focusing on the fluidity and diversity of lines, while their decorative motif leans towards relief and color-based techniques, featuring vibrant yet delicate hues that capture the unique charm of the Luxembourg-style pottery craft.
These meticulously selected artifacts have conveyed a profound sense of the unique character and vitality of the tiny, beautiful nation within the torrents of history. The director of the Henan Museum stated that this exhibition marks the inaugural exchange of cultural relics between Henan and Luxembourg, a cultural exchange project under the context of the Air Silk Road. The organizer is eager to present an opportunity for audiences to delve deeply into the culture of Luxembourg, with the hope of further mutual learning and enrichment between civilizations.
