The Jilin Manchu Museum was constructed on the bases of a protected provincial cultural heritage – the former residence of Wang Baichuan. Its building is one of the remaining typical two-door quadrangles in North East China. The museum’s major exhibit “Jilin Manchu Display”, and its resourceful collection of precious relics of Manchu folklore and life, retells the enduring history of the Manchu people. While organizing and studying artifacts, the museum also spreads Manchu culture through publications.

 

This book introduces the first several hundred artifacts that have been collected by the Jilin Manchu Museum since its establishment. These artifacts originate from the Jin Dynasty, Qing Dynasty, the Republic, and near modern era, including ceramics, metalware, jewelry, implements, embroidery, calligraphy, paintings, instruments, etc.. Amongst these, the Qianlong sacrificial bronze waterfowl, Gem-inlaid, gilt and filigreed ruyi (a sacrificial sceptor), and Tian-tsui jade-inlaid phoenix coronet are all first-grade cultural relics. Apart from Manchu artifacts, foreign relics such as the English bronze desk clock and Japanese bronze gilt disk, also recapture the styles and cultures of different regions, representing the interchange between East and West.

 

These exquisite collections, with unique style and meticulous craftsmanship, contain great historical value and cultural meanings. This book aims to organize and introduce such for the benefit of readers.

 

The classification of artifacts in this book is intended to facilitate the public’s appreciation; therefore, it will vary from the classification of the Jilin Manchu Museum.