Ming exhibition introductory displayMing exhibition introductory display
Great Court, British Museum
Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury
London, September 2014
“Zheng He's voyages between Asia and Africa were a key part of this enterprise: the admiral was tasked with extracting declarations of loyalty to Yongle and exotic tribute gifts from rulers in Asia, the Middle East and Africa, to shore up the ruler's authority at home. One of the most celebrated of these offerings was a giraffe sent to Beijing in 1414 by a ruler of Bengal. On its arrival in the capital, Yongle's advisors opportunistically identified it as a mythical qilin – an animal that, Confucius explained, would only make an appearance during the reign of a sage emperor.” (Beauty and bloodbaths in the Ming dynasty, The Guardian)
I could use a couple of chili bowls and I think those smaller blue/white ones on the right just above the table runner an ladles would be perfect.
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