Skip to navigation

China: The Three Emperors, 1662—1795

12 Nov 2005 — 17 Apr 2006

In the Main Galleries

This magnificent exhibition explored the artistic and cultural riches of Imperial China. Spanning the reigns of three Emperors, Kangxi (1662—1722), Yongzheng (1723—35) and Qianlong (1736—95), it focused on the most powerful rulers of China’s last dynasty: the Qing. Each Emperor employed the greatest artists and workshops of his day to glorify his rule.

China: The Three Emperors, 1662—1795 featured over 370 treasures, including precious robes and palace furnishings, paintings and painted scrolls, weapons and ceremonial armour, clocks and astronomical instruments, antique jades and bronzes, ingenious scientific instruments, the finest porcelain, carvings and lacquer ware, elegant furniture, a sedan chair and an imperial throne.

China: The Three Emperors, 1662—1795 Student Guide (1.6 MB)

Click here to visit the dedicated exhibition subsite www.threeemperors.org.uk

Academy Shop

Show photo credits

Alexander Calder, 'Sumac V', 1953, Mobile, painted metal. 125 x 140 cm. Maeght family, Paris. Photo © Galerie Maeght. © Calder Foundation, New York/DACS London 2008

 

Unknown artist, Incense burner in the shape of a church, 10th–11th century. Silver partially gilded, 36 cm. Procuratoria di San Marco, Venezia. Photo per gentile concessione della Procuratoria di San Marco/Cameraphoto Arte, Venice