More than 70 musical instruments and other objects excavated from archaeological sites in China will be featured in a new exhibition opening Nov. 6 at Musical Instrument Museum.
“Unearthed Musical Masterpieces from the Southern Kingdoms of Ancient China” includes artifacts dating back more than 2,000 years. More than 40 of the objects will be displayed in the United States for the first time, including 10 designated Grade One National Cultural Relics, China’s highest classification for national treasures. The exhibition was organized by MIM and the Hubei Provincial Museum under the guidance of China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration.
The exhibition traces the development of musical culture in ancient China from the Neolithic period through the court music associated with the ancient Zeng and Chu states. Among the objects are bronze bells, drums and stone chimes that were excavated from the tombs of rulers and nobility.
