Exhibition of ancient bronzes in Hong Kong illuminates culture, history

Relics head south

After nearly a year of preparation, relics from all over Henan arrived at the Henan Museum this March for transportation south.

Many of the exhibits are "popular stars" with a tight exhibition schedule. As a result, the handover was limited to only three and a half days. Experts from both sides checked and meticulously recorded every detailed feature of each item.

It was the first time Wong Yun-Chiu, assistant curator from the Conservation Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, had handled so many ancient bronzes.

"I learned some traditional as well as innovative restoration methods from my Henan peers," Wong said, adding that chemical analysis adopted at the Henan Museum reinterpreted the bronze-casting techniques of ancient times.

To safely ship the precious items, a number of packaging boxes were customized in special sizes and shapes. Every step of the transportation process was examined again and again.

The lid of the Wangziwu Ding of the Spring and Autumn Period, having been evaluated by experts to be in a rather fragile state, was left behind in Henan. A ding is a holding vessel from ancient times.

"It pained us to make the decision," Chun said, "but the 'blessing in disguise' may be that the audience can view the inscriptions inside the ding without its lid."

The display arrangement also highlighted the security of the relics. "Based upon that consideration, we then figured out the best ways that allow the audience to appreciate the time-honored craftsmanship," Wong said.

During the exhibition, the condition of the cultural relics is monitored by Wong and his colleagues around the clock, with key indicators including temperature, humidity, the intensity of illuminance and the impurity level of the environment.

"The suitable humidity of bronze wares is under 40 percent. As for oracle bones, it should be a little higher than 50 percent," Wong explained, adding that close attention was paid to this as Hong Kong is much more humid than Henan.