The Fahua Tower, situated in the suburbs of Shanghai in the Jiading district, has long been a symbol of ancient China’s rich cultural history. Built during the Kaixi period of the Southern Song Dynasty (1205-1207), it was originally known as the Jinsha Tower and served as a crucial landmark for ships navigating the ancient Maritime Silk Road. Over its 800-year history, the tower has undergone several renovations, the most recent of which took place from April to August, aiming to preserve its historical features while eliminating potential security risks.
Now, for the first time, a selection of ancient treasures hidden for centuries in the tower’s underground niches is on public display. The exhibition, organized by the Jiading Museum and the Shanghai Museum, features 80 sets of cultural relics excavated from the Fahua Tower, including jade, pottery, porcelain, ancient books, paintings, and calligraphy. According to Yuan Yejun, the office director of the Jiading Museum, this exhibition marks the first time the Fahua Tower relics have been systematically and comprehensively shown to the public.
Among the top exhibits are a white jade statue of a dancer from the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) and a black jade sculpture of a mother monkey with her four baby monkeys from the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368). The dancer statue is intricately carved from milky-white jade, featuring a dancing woman adorned with a beautiful long dress and a crown. Experts believe this piece represents the highest level of jade carving from that era. The monkey sculpture, on the other hand, depicts a mother monkey and her four offspring, all vividly carved into a fist-sized piece of jade.
Both treasures were discovered by archaeologists in 1996 in the underground palace of the Fahua Tower. Alongside these unearthed relics, the exhibition also recounts the archaeological and repair stories of the tower, providing visitors with a comprehensive understanding of its historical significance and the efforts made to preserve it.
The exhibition is an exciting opportunity for both locals and tourists to learn about the history and cultural heritage of the Fahua Tower and the ancient Maritime Silk Road. It will run until October 31, allowing ample time for visitors to explore the treasures and stories of this remarkable landmark.
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