Exhibition of imperial porcelain reveals changes over centuries

These are being revealed to the public at the exhibition, Exalted Beings: Imperial Porcelain with Dragon Decorations from the Yuan (1271-1368), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasties, at Beijing's Poly Art Museum that runs until Sept 12.

It displays over 60 items, including works restored from pieces unearthed in Jingdezhen and intact artifacts that were for royal use and are now in the collections of Poly and several other institutions.

"These pieces' long motifs reflect the Chinese emperors' aesthetics and the dynamic changes of their times," says Wang Guangyao, a porcelain researcher at the Palace Museum in Beijing, who is also curator of the exhibition.

The exhibition initially planned to display 150 artifacts, but the COVID-19 pandemic reduced the number. However, all items in the original catalogue are being digitally showcased on Poly's website.