When traveling to Hangzhou, visiting West Lake is usually the top choice for everyone, followed by purchasing Hangzhou's silk specialties. However, buying silk cannot fully capture the charm of this city. People need to come to the China National Silk Museum to appreciate the elegance of silk and cultural relics.

Nestled at the foot of Yuhuang Hill by the West Lake in Hangzhou, the China National Silk Museum is a National First-Class Museum, the largest specialized museum for textiles and apparel in China, and also the world's largest professional museum dedicated to silk. The museum boasts over a hundred silk exhibits imbued with historical and cultural significance, including the recent limited-time exhibition titled "Nine Heavenly Palace: Chang'an on the Silk Road."

        China National Silk Museum. Photo provided to ZICC.

Among them, "Golden Bowl with Mandarin Duck and Lotus Petal" from the "Nine Heavenly Palace: Chang'an on the Silk Road" exhibition from the Tang Dynasty (618—907) is undoubtedly the most popular attraction.  This golden masterpiece embodies the pinnacle of ancient Chinese craftsmanship, where every lotus petal is a canvas for intricate decorative patterns. The upper layer bursts with life, adorned with intricate motifs of mandarin ducks swimming in harmony, ducks paddling gracefully, parrots perched majestically, and foxes sneaking through the foliage. The lower layer, meanwhile, showcases delicate honeysuckle designs, weaving a natural beauty that complements the lively animals above. Even the tiniest spaces between the lotus petals are not left untouched, adorned with flying birds and swirling cloud patterns that add a sense of movement and dynamism.

Golden Bowl with Mandarin Duck and Lotus Petal. Photo provided to ZICC.

Tracing back to the glorious era of the Silk Road during the Tang Dynasty, frequent cultural exchanges between the East and West fostered the profound integration of Western gold and silverware craftsmanship, particularly the exquisite skills of the Sogdian artisans, with traditional Chinese aesthetics. The Golden Bowl with Mandarin Duck and Lotus Petal stands as an outstanding representation of this cultural fusion. It not only showcases the unique artistic style of the Tang Dynasty but also profoundly embodies the spirit of openness and innovation of that era, as well as the vast and inclusive nature of Chinese culture.

Discover the splendor of Chang'an on the Silk Road at the "Nine Heavenly Palaces" exhibition from June 19 to October 7, 2024, at the Fashion Museum's Temporary Exhibition Hall and Yinhan Hall. Photo provided to ZICC.

Editor Cheng Dengyu, Intern Yuan Kailin