Double gourd (from a pair) - China, Qing dynasty (1644-1912), Qianlong period (1736-1796)
Carved lacquer, known as “Peking lacquer”, on wood
© Les Arts Décoratifs / Jean Tholance
On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of cultural relations
between China and France and the 7th edition of Asia Week,
the Musée des Arts Décoratifsis presenting a new presentation
of an important ensemble of Chinese works in its permanent exhibition.
This new presentation highlights the exceptional nature of certain materials
and numerous Chinese crafting techniques used since antiquity to create
luxury objects. These techniques allowed the sublimation of materials such
as jade and other hard stones, porcelain, cloisonné or painted enamel,
bronze, lacquered wood, feathers, and glass. All the works presented
have been selected from the national collections of the Musée des Arts
Décoratifs. They illustrate the production of the Yuan (1279-1368), Ming
(1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties from the 13th century to the end
of the 19th century.
This presentation also tells the story of the museum’s collection
and the sources of inspiration that these objects have been for
artists, designers, and manufacturers for more than 150 years,
from the Chinoiserie period of the 18th century to the second half of the 19th century
and the Art Nouveau period.
The tour begins in the Jewelry Gallery and continues through the permanent
galleries, from the medieval halls to the contemporary rooms.