The Top Ten Treasures of the Palace Museum: A Detailed Appreciation
北京故宮博物院十大鎮館之寶賞鑒
The Palace Museum, located in the heart of Beijing within the historic Forbidden City, stands as China’s largest ancient art and culture museum. Established in 1925, it houses over 1.8 million artifacts spanning ceramics, paintings, calligraphy, jade, bronze, and more. Each piece reflects the brilliance of Chinese civilization. Today, we explore the Top 10 Treasures of the Palace Museum, uncovering their historical legacy and artistic brilliance.
故宮博物院是中國最大的古代藝術文化博物館，坐落於北京紫禁城內，成立於1925年，收藏超過180萬件文物，涵蓋陶瓷、書畫、玉器、青銅器等。以下為其十大鎮館之寶的詳細介紹：
1. Qianlong Emperor’s Golden “Jin Ou Yong Gu” Cup (乾隆款金甌永固杯)
This exquisite gold cup, crafted during the Qing Dynasty, was used by Emperor Qianlong for the annual New Year’s “Opening the Brush” ceremony, symbolizing the stability of the empire. Made of pure gold, the cup is adorned with pearls, rubies, sapphires, and intricate designs of lotus flowers. The handles feature finely detailed dragon heads, and the inscription “Jin Ou Yong Gu” (金甌永固) translates to “The Golden Vessel is Forever Secure.”
Standing 12.5 cm tall and weighing approximately 500 grams, this cup represents the pinnacle of Qing Dynasty goldsmithing. Emperor Qianlong personally oversaw its design, ensuring every detail reflected imperial grandeur.
清代乾隆皇帝元旦開筆儀式專用酒杯，象徵政權穩固。杯身以黃金製成，鑲嵌珍珠、寶石，工藝精湛。
2. Celadon Jade Cloud and Dragon Censer (青玉雲龍紋爐)
A masterpiece of Song Dynasty jade carving, this censer stands 7.9 cm tall with a diameter of 14.8 cm. Carved from a single piece of celadon jade, it depicts dragons soaring through clouds, their claws sharp and manes flowing. The interior bears an inscribed poem by Emperor Qianlong, blending literary elegance with imperial symbolism.
The censer exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of the Song Dynasty, where intricate details harmonize with minimalist aesthetics.
宋代玉雕代表作，爐身飾雲龍紋，內壁刻有乾隆御題詩，展現文人雅趣。
3. Zhang Cheng’s Carved Lacquer Cloud-Patterned Tray (張成造款雕漆雲紋盤)
Created by the renowned Yuan Dynasty lacquer master Zhang Cheng, this tray is a testament to the artistry of Chinese lacquerware. Measuring 27 cm in diameter, it features layers of black lacquer carved into swirling cloud patterns, with a central lotus motif symbolizing purity.
The tray’s preservation over 700 years highlights the durability of Yuan lacquer techniques. The inscription “Zhang Cheng Zao” (張成造) confirms its authenticity, making it a rare artifact for studying ancient lacquer art.
元代雕漆大師張成作品，雲紋流暢，漆層厚重，底部刻有「張成造」款。
4. Cloisonné Enamel Censer with Elephant Handles (掐絲琺瑯纏枝蓮紋象耳爐)
This Yuan Dynasty cloisonné censer, standing 13.2 cm tall, showcases a fusion of Chinese and Persian artistry. The cobalt-blue enamel base is adorned with intricate floral patterns, while the elephant-shaped handles symbolize peace and prosperity (“Tai Ping You Xiang” 太平有象).
Cloisonné techniques, involving wire inlays and vibrant enamels, reached new heights during the Yuan Dynasty. This censer remains one of the best-preserved examples of its kind.
元代琺瑯器珍品，爐耳為象首造型，寓意「太平有象」，融合中西技法。
5. Imperial Clock with Immortals Celebrating Longevity (彩漆描金群仙祝壽御製鐘)
A marvel of 18th-century engineering, this 185 cm-tall clock was commissioned by Emperor Qianlong. Designed as a multi-tiered pavilion, it features seven mechanical systems that control timekeeping, chimes, and animated scenes of immortals offering blessings.
The clock’s gold-traced lacquer and vibrant colors reflect Qing Dynasty opulence. Its blend of Chinese and Western mechanics astounded even British envoy Lord Macartney, who praised its ingenuity.
乾隆時期巨型機械鐘，內置七套系統，可自動報時及展示「群仙祝壽」場景。
6. Lu Ji’s “Ping Fu Tie” Calligraphy (陸機《平復帖》)
Dating back to the Western Jin Dynasty, this 23.7 x 20.6 cm calligraphic scroll by Lu Ji is the earliest surviving example of celebrity handwriting. The text, a personal letter, displays the fluidity and spontaneity of early cursive script.
Despite its aged paper, the strokes remain clear, offering invaluable insights into the evolution of Chinese calligraphy. Masters like Wang Xizhi drew inspiration from this work.
西晉文學家陸機書法真跡，為現存最早的名人墨跡，影響後世書法大家。
7. Lang Kiln Red-Glazed Bottle Vase (郎窯紅釉穿帶直口瓶)
A prized product of the Kangxi era, this 45.5 cm-tall vase is renowned for its “ox-blood” red glaze, which darkens toward the base. The white “rush grass” rim (燈草邊) creates a striking contrast.
Emperor Qianlong extolled its beauty in poetry, comparing it to rare cinnabar and gemstones. The Lang Kiln’s high firing failure rate makes this vase exceptionally rare.
康熙年間郎窯紅釉瓷器，釉色如牛血，瓶口呈「燈草邊」，燒製難度極高。
8. Ru Kiln Celadon-Glazed Bowl (汝窯天青釉碗)
This 6.7 cm-tall bowl, with its 17.1 cm diameter, epitomizes the understated elegance of Song Dynasty Ru ware. The pale blue glaze, likened to “the sky after rain,” features fine crackles and rests on three tiny spur marks.
Ru ware, reserved for the imperial court, is exceedingly rare, with fewer than 100 pieces extant worldwide. A similar bowl sold for HK$294 million in 2000, underscoring its cultural and monetary value.
宋代汝窯代表作，釉色天青，開片如蟬翼，存世稀少，極具收藏價值。
9. Bronze “Xia Ya” Square Zun Vessel (酗亞方樽)
This 45 cm-tall Shang Dynasty bronze ritual vessel, excavated from the Yin Ruins, bears the inscription “Ya Xia” (亞酗), possibly linking it to a noble family. Its intricate taotie (monster mask) motifs and elephant-head handles reflect Shang beliefs in ritual and power.
The vessel’s craftsmanship provides critical insights into early Chinese metallurgy and ceremonial practices.
商代晚期青銅器，飾象首獸頭，銘文「亞酗」，反映商代禮儀制度。
10. Zhang Zeduan’s “Along the River During the Qingming Festival” (《清明上河圖》)
This iconic 5.287-meter-long scroll vividly captures daily life in Northern Song Dynasty Bianjing (Kaifeng). With over 500 figures, bustling markets, and detailed architecture, it serves as a “visual encyclopedia” of the era.
Zhang Zeduan’s meticulous brushwork and dynamic composition make this painting a cornerstone of Chinese art history, offering a window into Song urban culture.
北宋張擇端繪製的長卷，描繪汴京清明時節市井風貌，細節豐富，堪稱「宋代百科全書」。
Conclusion
These treasures（Top 10 Treasures of the Palace Museum） are more than artifacts—they are bridges across time. From Shang bronzes to Qing clocks, each piece tells a story of cultural continuity. As technology allows us to preserve and study them anew, their legacy continues to inspire.
每一件文物都是中華文明的縮影，連接著過去與現在。透過科技，這些珍寶的故事將繼續流傳，啟發未來。
From 故宫博物馆十大镇馆之宝赏鉴
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