Zhao Zhiqian (1829 – 1884), Calligraphy, Qing dynasty (1644 – 1911), dated 1865, folding fan © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst

BERLIN - Jinshixue, literally ‘the study of metal and stone’ was initiated by scholars of the Song dynasty (960 – 1279). This presentation illustrates its importance and impact of jinshixue on Chinese art. It included the study of inscriptions on bronze vessels and stone steles, combined calligraphy and painting, the collection of ancient artifacts, including ritual bronzes, bronze mirrors, as well as philological and historical research.

Song scholars developed some rigorous methods of unearthing, studying, and cataloguing ancient artifacts. In the Qing dynasty (1644 – 1911), antiquarianism experienced a revival. By focusing on collection practices, production, appreciation and documentation of cultural relics and visual culture, they not only generated knowledge about the past, but also about the world around them. 

The exhibition is curated by Birgitta Augustin.

A temporary presentation by the Museum für Asiatische Kunst of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin in the Humboldt Forum, Room 319, “Artists and Connoisseurs”

18.09.2024 to 15.03.2025

Bronze mirror with motif of four standard script characters for shan (mountain), Eastern Zhou dynasty (770 to 256 BCE), Warring States Period (475 to 221 BC), bronze © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst

Signed Wang Fu (1362 – 1416), Filial love of Zou Wensheng, Qing dynasty (1644 – 1911), 18th c., detail of a handscroll Photo credit: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst

Wu Zhi (early 18th c.), Calligraphy, Qing dynasty (1644 – 1911), 18th c., couplet Image credit: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst

Yan xiao shi (Concise history of inkstones), Zhu Eryun (19th c.), first published in the Jiaqing era 嘉慶 (1796 – 1820), modern reprint, Taipei 1935 Image credit: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst

Ritual vessel, fu type, Eastern Zhou dynasty (771 to 256 BC), Spring and Autumn period (770 to 476 BC), bronze © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst

Yizhengtang chongxiu Kaogu tu (Illustrated Antiques, Yizhengtang edition), Lü Dalin 呂大臨 (ca. 1042 – ca. 1090), first published in the renshen year of the Qianlong era 乾隆壬申 (1752), modern reprint, 1991 Image credit: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst, Ostasiatische Kunst Bibliothek