On-air now at National Geographic is a feature on Taiwan's imperial treasures, entitled, Inside the Emperor's Treasure. And I'm trying to live-blog it!
Qianlong was an emperor of China who believed that his legacy was to preserve China's arts and treasures. He commissioned a catalogue of their treasures which took 16 years to finish. He was truly devoted to the arts and collected a lot of artworks himself.
The feature now shows the National Palace Museum which I visited when I first came to Taiwan. How did the treasures come to Taiwan and how those artifacts survived? I too, wonder, having seen those intricate ivory carvings, the jade cabbage, and the emperor's curio, among others, myself.
Apparently, after the last emperor of China, these treasures became state-owned and beginning 1925, were displayed in public. But due to wars, the treasures were moved from Beijing to Shanghai and other places. There were treasure escorts then who protected the treasures, and after the defeat of the Japanese, these were returned to Nanjing. However, after some years, the Nationalists moved the treasures to Taiwan. And they survived!
The treasures were first exhibited to the public in 1965 at the National Palace Museum. Renovated in 2007, it has 3 floors, 29 galleries and hundreds of cases. It's huge.
Apparently, innovation was key to please Qianlong, like a vase in a vase. I remember our tour guide saying that. The treasures must be unique. And gosh! I've seen the ivory ball with many spheres within a sphere when I was there!
Hey, who knew Qianlong made his own mark even on the masters' works, be it painting, poetry or other arts! Amazing.
To make sure these priceless objects remain preserved, humidity and temperature is closely monitored. Plus, there is maximum security to prevent pilferage. However, how about security from acts of God, like earthquakes? Of course, they have measures for that. The scrolls are anchored, as well as those on display inconspicuously, usually the most precious ones.
Then again, the Museum has to battle time, and the battle is even more special with the 10,000 paintings and calligraphy it houses. And so, these delicate treasures are lovingly restored and handled with utmost care.
To be relevant in the 21st century, a branch is being made in the south of Taiwan, a modern edifice at that, but it will focus on Asian art and culture.
Well, the treasures are also made into 3d for a virtual museum; for maximum fun and so you'd know how it looks if you can't go to Taiwan yourself to see the treasures in real-time.
That's it. The episode has now come to an end. So, if you ever visit Taiwan, don't forget to go to the National Palace Museum and see for yourself the emperor's treasures.
