China
The China collection, organized thematically, offers a comprehensive overview of the diverse disciplines of Chinese art, including ceramics, jade, bronze, wood sculpture, wall painting, costumes, painting, calligraphy, furniture, and decorative arts. Highlights include two rare wooden statues of bodhisattvas. The model of the Chinese Palace in Laeken (formerly known as the Chinese Pavilion), an exceptional piece crafted in Shanghai in 1903–1904 and recently restored, is also on temporary public display. Although not part of the museum’s collection, it provides a unique opportunity to experience this remarkable heritage up close.
The model of the Chinese Palace in Laeken
Created in Shanghai at the Tushanwan workshops in 1903–1904, this 1:10 scale model was commissioned by architect Alexandre Marcel during the construction of the Chinese Pavilion and Japanese Tower in Laeken. Preserved in separate pieces for decades, it was restored in 2024–2025 by the non-profit organization Palais chinois et des Pays des Routes de la Soie, with the support of the King Baudouin Foundation (Fonds Jonckheere).
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Burial finds
Small showcases display burial finds made of jade, bronze, and ceramics, as well as inscribed oracle bones from the Shang Dynasty, which present the earliest examples of Chinese writing. The oldest ceramic objects are funerary and were used in daily life during the Han and Tang Dynasties. They depict farms, wells, grain silos, poultry, and ox-carts, as well as lady-companions making music—the latter reflecting the sophistication of life at the Tang court. Statuettes of camels and foreign travelers recall the trade relations along the Silk Route.
Chinese ceramic
A highlight of Chinese ceramic art is the graceful vases from the Song Dynasty, celebrated for their subtle glazes. A collection of more than 3,000 pieces illustrates Chinese porcelain production from the 17th to the 19th century, showing a wide variety of forms and styles adapted to the European market. Examples of Blue and White, Famille Verte, Famille Rose, and Chine de commande are on display.
Bed and roll paintings
Further along, in small display cases, you can see a few snuff bottles made from precious materials, as well as silk shoes, red lacquer containers, and a monumental folding screen placed behind a throne. A Chinese recessed bed, crafted from finely carved lacquered wood, is particularly impressive, while the accompanying roll paintings and calligraphic artworks showcase the refinement of life in China during the 18th and 19th centuries. The paintings, calligraphy, and silk textiles highlight the importance of intellectual and aesthetic traditions in Chinese civilization.
Contact
- Nathalie Vandeperre: n.vandeperre@kmkg-mrah.be