Many beautiful artefacts that are classified as Chinese ‘art’ were originally made for daily purposes and were not meant to be displayed in a museum or collected by enthusiasts as they are today. In fact, a large percentage of objects within the MEAA’s collections were originally used as food or drinking vessels. This exhibition explores the culture of food and drink in China through a wide range of vessels made of different materials and used by various social classes over centuries.
The exhibition is the result of a joint research project between the Museum and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. A complementary exhibition, ‘Ancient Vessels‘ displaying objects from the MEAA collection will be shown at the Brunei Gallery at SOAS from 10 January to 21 March 2020.
Please note that ‘China on a Plate’ and ‘Ancient Vessels’ closed early due to Covid-19. In order to allow more people to experience ‘Ancient Vessels’, a virtual tour, narrated by Curator Dr Stacey Pierson, has been created. Click here to view the video.
