October 14, 2000 through January 24, 2001
Secret World of the
Forbidden City
Splendors from China's Imperial Palace

page 1, 2

THE EMPEROR AS A SCHOLAR: THE STUDY ROOM
Study was an important pursuit of the Qing emperors. The four early Qing emperors achieved a high degree of knowledge of Han Chinese culture and Confucian philosophy. Emperor Shunzhi was an accomplished painter and calligrapher, whose work "Upright and Above Reproach" (Zheng Da Guang Ming) still hangs above the throne in the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Emperor Kangxi was a skilled calligrapher versed in the classical texts and also schooled in astronomy, geography, mathematics and medicine. Interested in the practical application of scientific knowledge, he commissioned and imported astronomical and terrestrial surveying equipment. The gilt bronze calculator, the gold celestial globe and the table-screen of astrological diagrams represent examples of scientific instruments the emperor acquired.

The Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong reigns are considered the golden years of the Qing Dynasty which, in turn, had been deeply influenced by the preceding Ming Dynasty. The Qing emperors' desire to further validate their legitimate rule over the Chinese empire was reflected in their promotion of the study of Confucian philosophy and Han literature.

THE IMPERIAL DINING ROOM
At the Qing imperial court, meals were subject to an elaborate system of dining regulations. The emperor took his meals alone in his private quarters or wherever he happened to be at mealtime. He was served breakfast at dawn, dinner at midday and supper at sunset. The emperor's meals were prepared by the imperial kitchen to the highest standard, and beverages such as milk and tea were served from the imperial tea kitchen.

Generally eight main dishes, four side dishes, two or three hot soups, hotpots and the staple steamed buns, rice and cakes constituted a proper balance of meat and vegetable dishes, of savory and sweet flavors, and of soup and bread. Nutritional value as well as flavor, smell and color were of paramount importance in such main dishes as swallow's nest, duck, chicken, deer and pork. Herbal teas supplemented the meals for their tonic value.

To insure that the emperor's food had not been poisoned, an attending eunuch tasted each dish and made certain that a small piece of silver placed in each had not changed color. No one was allowed to eat with the emperor unless specifically invited, and the empress and concubines took their meals in their own apartments. Since far more food was served than the emperor could possibly consume, leftovers were given to his concubines and to court officials.

THE EMPEROR'S BEDROOM
After a light meal at sunset, the emperor customarily prayed by counting the beads on his Buddhist rosary, performed his ablutions and retired to bed. From the time of the Yongzheng emperor, the imperial bedchamber was in the Yangxindian Hall. Two side rooms at the rear of the hall each contained a large bed with a mattress, silk bedsheets and pillows and silk brocade bed curtains.

The emperor spent part of the night with a chosen concubine who would be summoned to his chamber. Since she was not permitted to spend the entire night in the emperor's bed, nor could she return to her own apartment, she would adjourn to one of the side rooms for the remainder of the night.

The imperial bedchambers were furnished with a bed, bedclothes, a bathtub, commode, a mirror and a clock as well as with decorative items such as table screens and display cabinets with antiques and exotic items. The atmosphere was one of luxury tempered with comfort.

IMPERIAL DRESS
The Qing emperors designated the color yellow and the dragon emblem on traditional Chinese imperial dress as an exclusive affirmation of their power. Qing emperors' dress adhered to a rigid code that specified clothing for every occasion: ceremonial robes for the most formal ceremonial occasions, court wear for holding audiences, auspicious garments worn during the celebration of festive occasions such as Lunar New Year and his birthday, informal clothing to be worn in his private quarters, and travel ensembles to be worn during the hunt, expeditions and inspection tours. Each ensemble consisted of several garments, headgear, belts, shoes and accessories. The ensembles included seasonal variants: Winter garments, for example, were lined with fur.

Requisite silks, gauzes, satins, brocades and damasks of the highest quality were woven in the imperial weaving factory in Suzhou, and the clothing was sumptuously embroidered and embellished with gold, pearls and precious stones.

The empress had her own wardrobe designed for various occasions. Formal occasions demanded a ceremonial dress, a crown, a single-strand pearl necklace, a double-strand coral necklace, and earrings made of gold and pearls.

RELIGION IN THE FORBIDDEN CITY
The Manchu ancestors of the Qing imperial family followed a tradition of shamanistic practices based on their beliefs in supernatural forces. Over the centuries, those beliefs and practices were absorbed into the religions adopted from China: Daoism, Confucianism and Buddhism. This multiplicity of faiths led to a plethora of religious observances. The emperor attended all major sacrificial rites, while lesser ones were attended by officials representing him.

Over time, Buddhism became the primary religion of the Qing Dynasty. The Qing emperors supported the Yellow Hat sect of Esoteric Buddhism, an adherence which proved useful in diplomatic relations with Tibetan and Mongolian nobles. Esoteric Buddhism, besides providing the possibility of personal enlightenment, offered protection and preservation of the sovereign nation. The palace featured Buddhist altars in the private quarters of the emperor and empresses.

Emperor Xiangfeng's Ceremonial Armor Reign of Emperor Xianfeng (1851-1861)

ARMS AND ARMOR OF THE EMPEROR
The first four emperors of the Qing Dynasty made military troops and their training, armaments and provisions a high priority. The Grand Review of Troops was a formal and solemn ceremony during which the emperor reviewed military armaments and demonstrations of skills displayed by the troops of The Eight Banners, contingents that numerically correspond to modern divisions. The troops practiced deployment tactics, fired cannons, demonstrated the use of various weapons and presented exercises in horsemanship and archery. In addition, the emperors established rigid systems of regular military inspection, organized hunting expeditions and deployed troops on practice maneuvers to hone martial skills.

Hunting expeditions were further useful in maintaining Manchu traditions of exemplary horsemanship and archery. Within the one-hundred-year reigns of Kangxi to Jiaqing, the emperors led the court officials, officers and troops of The Eight Banners every autumn in large hunting expeditions.

THE EMPEROR AT LEISURE
At the imperial court of the Qing Dynasty, mornings were dedicated to official duties, and afternoons were a time of leisure and recreation. There were numerous cultural and recreational activities to keep the emperor and his courtiers occupied and amused. Painting, calligraphy and music, as well as playing Chinese chess, watching fireworks, raising birds, fish and crickets, kite-flying and ice-skating were all favored pursuits of Qing emperors. Chinese opera was another form of entertainment that remained popular throughout the dynasty.

A mastery of Chinese chess, calligraphy, painting and playing the qin, a seven-stringed zither, were deemed important accomplishments and Qing emperors, especially Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong, devoted much attention to them. A number of Qing emperors as well as their empresses and concubines were accomplished painters and poets, and many of their surviving works are preserved in the Palace Museum. Raising crickets and watching cricket fights were popular pastimes among the imperial family. Each of the last three emperors, Tongzhi, Guangxu and Puyi, ascended the throne at a very young age, and some of their childhood toys, including cricket cages, are also preserved in the palace.

EXHIBITION SPONSORS
The Oakland presentation of Secret World of the Forbidden City: Splendors from China's Imperial Palace is made possible by the City of Oakland and generously sponsored by the Oakland Museum Women's Board. Education sponsor: Chevron. Major corporate sponsor: Metropolitan Life Foundation. Participating sponsors: Aloha Airlines and Marine Terminals Corporation. Supporting sponsors: AirTouch Communications Foundation and American Express Company. Additional support: Crosby, Heafey, Roach & May, Lucent Technologies, the Milton Shoong Foundation, Sybase, Inc, and Wells Fargo International Group.

Media sponsors: BART, KRON - TV 4, San Francisco Chronicle, Port of Oakland , Eller Media Company, Infinity Outdoor, Bay Area Transit Shelters, Inc, Eddie and Lynn Whitehead, KEST-AM 1450, Sing-Tao Daily and Chinese Radio.

This exhibition was organized by The Bowers Museum of Cultural Art and made possible, in part, through a generous grant from Gateway.

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