ASIA WEEK NEW YORK EXHIBITION

Celestial horse. Han dynasty, 1st-2nd century CE. Bronze, 44 7/8 x 34 1/2 x 14 1/2 in. (113.98 x 87.63 x 36.83 cm); Courtesy China Institute of America

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

March 6 – July 13, 2025
Curator’s Lecture: Thursday, March 6 from 6:30-8pm (RSVP)
Asia Week Open House: Friday, March 14 from 10am-8pm (Free)

We are pleased to present Eternal Offerings: Chinese Ritual Bronzes from the Minneapolis Institute of Art showcasing one of the world’s greatest collections of ancient Chinese bronzes outside of China from a crucial period in the history of human civilization. Traveling from the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the extraordinary Bronze Age vessels for food and wine as well as imaginative animal sculptures, are on view for the first time in New York City.

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.

To learn more, click here.

 

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

China Institute Calligraphy and Music Meetup

Friday, April 11, 6-8pm

Step into a world where tradition meets artistry, and ancient culture resonates with the busy life in New York City! China Institute in America cordially invites you to this monthly program for a mesmerizing evening of traditional Chinese music and the enchanting world of calligraphy.

Listen to the performance of the unique Chinese instruments, and feel the charm of Chinese music combined with practicing Chinese calligraphy with a master calligrapher. Take the chance to interact with our calligrapher, musicians and fellow cultural lovers too!

No previous experience of calligraphy is required. Ink, paper, and brush will be provided onsite. Join like-minded friends to enjoy tea, practice calligraphy, and listen to music. We look forward to a wonderful evening with you!

Refreshments will be served.

This program is in partnership with the US-China Music Institute of the Bard College Conservatory of Music.

To reserve tickets, click here.

 

(Top):Jade mountain illustrating the gathering of scholars at the Lanting Pavilion, 1790, light green jade, the John R. Van Derlip Fund and gift of the Thomas Barlow Walker Foundation; (Bottom): Wine vessel in double-owl shape you, late Shang dynasty (c. 1300-1046 BCE), bronze, bequest of Alfred F. Pillsbury

9th Orchid Pavilion Gathering: A Toast to the Ancestors

Saturday, April 11, 3-5pm
Tickets: $15 General; $10 Students; Free Members

The Orchid Pavilion Gathering series, hosted annually by China Institute Gallery, celebrates the spirit of the renowned congregation organized by the scholar-artist Wang Xizhi in the spring of 353 BC. This year, in conjunction with the spring exhibition Eternal Offerings: Chinese Ritual Bronzes from the Minneapolis Institute of Art, curator Dr. Liu Yang will take the audience through a journey of art appreciation and intellectual discourse, with careful examination of the masterpieces on display. The remarkable historical gathering at Lanting in 353 BC has inspired generations of artists and historians, leaving an enduring legacy that even reached Japan, as seen in the 1913 gathering in Kyoto led by collector Naitō Konan. Spanning both time and geography, we invite enthusiasts of Asian art in New York to join us in continuing this tradition of literary assembly and raising a toast to the ancestors.

Schedule
3:00 – 3:30 PM | Gallery Walkthrough with the curator, Dr. Liu Yang
3:30 – 4:15 PM | Lecture “A Toast to the Ancestors: Wine Vessels of the Shang and Zhou Dynasties”
4:15 – 4:30 PM | Q&A
4:30 – 5:00 PM | Reception with baijiu

Lecture “A Toast to the Ancestors: Wine Vessels of the Shang and Zhou Dynasties”
Wine and its vessels played a crucial role in the ancestral rituals of ancient China, particularly during the Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE), where wine-drinking was central to ceremonies and state functions. Bronze wine vessels were not just practical containers but symbols of power and ritual authority. However, in the Western Zhou (c. 1046–771 BCE), royal concerns over excessive drinking led to a decline in their prominence, as food vessels became more dominant in ritual practices. Despite this shift, wine vessels continued to evolve, showcasing diverse forms and intricate ornamentation. By the Eastern Zhou (770–256 BCE), regional innovations introduced elaborate motifs, inlays, and new decorative techniques reflecting changing artistic and ritual traditions. Recent archaeological discoveries have refined our understanding of these vessels, helping to clarify their dating and authenticity. This lecture will examine the transformation of wine vessels from the Shang to the Eastern Zhou, emphasizing their ritual significance, artistic development, and the latest research findings that continue to reshape our knowledge.

To learn more and register, click here.

 

Lunch and Learn

Fridays: March 7, April 4, May 2
Online

Join us virtually to read aloud Chinese poetry, learn about Chinese culture, and gain insight into Chinese life through Chinese art, literature, and history. Participants will enjoy live, interactive learning sessions with our language and cultural experts from home.

Would you like to explore the rich culinary landscape of China? Far beyond the familiar Chinese takeout in U.S. cities, Chinese cuisine is a complex tapestry of regional flavors and ethnic traditions.

Starting February 2025, our Lunch and Learn series will focus on food and food cultures in China’s various regions as well as the remarkable cross-cultural journey in New York. We will showcase dishes that exhibit their unique foodways and culinary identities.

We will discuss how history and migration have contributed to the development of cuisine culture in Beijing; how geography and social changes have defined the food on table in Yanji (in northeast China); how Nuosu people’s careful collection of grains and animal sacrifice have generated remarkable feast from the highlands in Xichang (in southwest China); and lastly, how the neighborhood of Flushing has witnessed the expansion of Chinese cuisine from Cantonese and Sichuan restaurants to the new addition of eateries from Northern and Central China in New York City. With this season’s four interactive online sessions, we hope to explore delicious food as well as the values and history embedded in diverse culinary traditions in China and beyond!

Contact:
Yongqiang Lin, [email protected]