Shenyang Palace Museum unveils its hottest antiques

The three most popular antiques in Shenyang Palace Museum were unveiled on June 20 – after the institution conducted an exhaustive survey and selection process.

The museum, in Shenyang, capital of Liaoning province, undertook the unusual initiative as part of an innovative way of promoting the city’s rich culture.

Making it onto the hotly contested list was a carved wooden tablet inscribed with “Zi Qi Dong Lai – a propitious omen meaning the purple air comes from the East -- surrounded by a golden dragon pattern frame. Also winning honors was an antlers chair formerly used by Hong Taiji, the founder of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), while the other hot antique was a filigree enamel luduan, a mythical creature, made during the reign of Emperor Qianlong, also from the Qing Dynasty.

The prized items were chosen out of 100 antiques for exhibition by the museum.

The selection started on March 7 and during the three-month process, more than 580,000 people visited the museum.

Li Shengneng, curator of Shenyang Palace Museum, said that the selected antiques embodied the unique culture of Shenyang and symbolized good fortune.

To promote Shenyang culture, cultural creative products related to the three antiques will be designed, according to Guan Ronghui, director of the Shenyang culture, tourism, radio and TV department.

This tablet is surrounded by a stunning golden dragon pattern frame and is inscribed with Zi Qi Dong Lai – an omen meaning the purple air comes from the East. [Photo/Shenyang Palace Museum]

This antlers chair is a popular item at the museum. It was formerly used by Hong Taiji. [Photo/Shenyang Palace Museum]

This filigree enamel luduan has star quality with museum visitors. It was made during the reign of Emperor Qianlong from the Qing Dynasty. [Photo/Shenyang Palace Museum]