The Old Summer Palace, known as Yuanmingyuan, is currently hosting a monumental exhibition featuring a set of revered bronze heads representing the 12 Chinese zodiac animals. This display, facilitated in collaboration with the Poly Art Museum, marks a historic occasion. After 163 years, five of the zodiac heads – those of the Ox, Tiger, Monkey, Pig, and Horse – have been returned to the site where they once stood majestically, before the palace was tragically razed by the Anglo-French allied forces in 1860.
These 12 animal head statues initially formed an integral part of an impressive water clock fountain that was positioned prominently in front of Haiyan Hall within the sprawling palace grounds. Serving as a symbol of cross-cultural appreciation, the fountain merged elements of Eastern tradition and culture with Western architectural nuances.
Constructed with a unique bronze alloy, these animal heads stand testament to the unparalleled craftsmanship of the era, blending intricate design aesthetics with innovative structural techniques. Their beauty and technical prowess render them invaluable pieces of historical artistry.
The journey of these heads back to their homeland has been nothing short of remarkable. The Ox, Tiger, and Monkey statues were purchased from an auction by the Poly Group in 2000 and subsequently became a part of the Poly Art Museum’s esteemed collection. Stanley Ho, an entrepreneurial magnate recognized for his casino ventures and his commendable contributions to China’s socio-economic growth and unity, acquired the Pig head from an American collector in 2003. Recognizing its immense cultural significance, he graciously donated it to the Poly Art Museum. Later, in 2007, Ho also procured the Horse head, which he then donated to China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration in 2019. By 2020, it found its way back to the Old Summer Palace.
Earlier this year, in a move celebrating the 26th anniversary of Hong Kong’s reintegration with mainland China, the Poly Art Museum showcased the Ox, Tiger, Monkey, and Pig heads in Hong Kong.
Visitors to the current exhibit at the Old Summer Palace are treated not only to the majestic view of these zodiac heads but also to around 50 sets of historical artifacts, photographs, and a collection of exquisite stone pillars. The pillars themselves have a tale to tell, having been repatriated from Norway after a decade-long effort.
The organizers of the exhibition have used the narrative of the lost stone pillars to provide visitors with context and to emphasize the continuous endeavors undertaken to bring lost artifacts back to their homeland. While eight of these invaluable zodiac heads have been retrieved and are now back in China, the quest continues to locate and repatriate the remaining pieces.
The exhibition, which promises a deep dive into China’s rich history and cultural reclamation, is set to run until October 29.
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