Installation view, Eternal Offerings: Chinese Ritual Bronzes from the Minneapolis Institute of Art

Eternal Offerings: Chinese Ritual Bronzes from the Minneapolis Institute of Art
Closing Sunday, July 13, 2025

Don’t miss your final chance to experience Eternal Offerings: Chinese Ritual Bronzes from the Minneapolis Institute of Art at China Institute Gallery before it closes on July 13! On view in New York City for the first time, this extraordinary exhibition features one of the most important collections of ancient Chinese bronzes outside of China. These awe-inspiring ritual vessels and animal sculptures—created for food, wine, and ancestral ceremonies—offer a rare glimpse into the spiritual and artistic traditions of Bronze Age China.

Bronze casting in China, which began over 4,000 years ago, stands as one of the greatest achievements in early metalcraft. During the Shang (1600–1046 BCE) and Zhou (1046–256 BCE) dynasties, the period known as the Bronze Age, ritual bronze vessels played a central role in ancestor worship, a cornerstone of Chinese spiritual and social life. Each vessel type served a specific purpose in ritual ceremonies and was adorned with intricate designs that symbolized power, spirituality, and cosmic harmony. Many were inscribed to honor ancestors, rulers, or to commemorate significant events, blending artistic mastery with historical record. These vessels, crafted using advanced casting techniques, were not only functional but also remarkable testaments to technological and cultural sophistication.

With more than 70 objects ranging from a wine vessel in the form of a double-owl from the Late Shang dynasty, 12th century BCE, to a celestial horse sculpture from the Han dynasty, 1st to 2nd century CE, this exhibition explores the diverse forms, functions, and symbolic meanings of ancient Chinese bronzes, providing a window into the spiritual and artistic essence of early Chinese civilization.

See these timeless masterpieces before they return to Minneapolis!

To learn more, click here.