Marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and China, as well as the 2024 Franco-Chinese Year of Cultural Tourism, an exhibition titled Ming Gold: Splendors and Beauties of Imperial China opened at the Guimet Museum in Paris, running from Sept 18 to Jan 13.

Featuring an exceptional collection of goldwork masterpieces — 134 pieces including ornaments and vessels — from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the exhibition, co-organized by the Qujiang Museum of Fine Arts in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, allows visitors to discover the craftsmanship of a refinement seldom found anywhere else in the world.

"Gold … has been considered a symbol of wealth and social status. Unlike silver, which became the main monetary metal during the Ming era, gold was only used to make or embellish luxury objects such as dinnerware and jewelry," according to the introduction of the exhibition.

Lin Shaoping, deputy director of the Xi'an Qujiang Museum of Fine Arts, said: "This year marks the 20th anniversary of the opening of the museum and we are devoted to collaborating with museums around the world to display these Chinese treasures, allowing international audiences to enjoy Chinese history and culture."

The museum, one of the first private museums in China, is known for housing the Chinese gold collection and is renowned for its exquisite and unique artisanship.

The objects displayed are presented in a way that highlights the luxury and refinement of each piece. Visitors are invited to contemplate their aesthetic quality and, through digital and educational content, to learn about the role gold played in the Ming Dynasty and its importance to the attire of elite women at that time.

Multimedia presentations, for example, developed with the support of the Paris School of Jewelry Arts, help visitors understand the techniques used in goldsmithing. Additionally, reproductions of famous paintings show how the jewelry was worn and content designed for younger visitors explaining the significance of motifs, their official symbolism and popular beliefs.

"Thanks to pieces on loan from the Xi'an Qujiang Museum of Fine Arts and their exceptional collection of vases and ornaments, the Guimet Museum shines a spotlight on the splendor of traditional gold craftsmanship and the art of jewelry during a golden era of Chinese civilization," said Arnaud Bertrand and Helene Gascuel, curators of the Guimet Museum.