Though the exhibition – the largest collection of artefacts from the Terracotta Army and the tomb of Qin Shihuangdi to leave China - started last September, it is officially part of the season’s cultural extravaganza.
An emperor’s life
Emperor Qin is one of the most important figures in Chinese history. Over 2000 years ago he founded the first unified Chinese dynasty which, although short-lived, paved the way for the Chinese Imperial system that was to last for millennia.
Like the ancient kings of Egypt, Qin ShiHuang demanded opulence both in life and in death. Ancient records show that the emperor was buried with vast treasure and a scale replica of the cosmos featuring pearls, gems and a mercury lake, and of course, the famed terracotta warriors.
His tomb remained untapped for centuries until a farmer stumbled upon the
trove in 1974.
Since then, Chinese archaeologists and scientists have discovered and preserved much about the tomb, including the fantastically detailed army of warriors with different faces, ranks and even armour and even acrobats, musicians and strongmen: anyone the emperor would need in a posthumous retinue.
The first emperor and his army
Upon entering the dark exhibition room (the British Museum’s specially-converted reading room), well-lit glass cases introduce you to some of the warriors.
Plaques explain how the warriors may have been painted, what their roles were and the erosive impact of time.
Next come the central exhibits: rows of the warriors, a wonderful bronze carriage, the acrobats, strongman and musicians replete with terracotta birds, perfectly arrayed in an open-plan room.
It is worth-while purchasing the optional audio tour of the room, which is well-researched, written and presented and fully immerses you in the experience.
Coming at a time when China is both politically and culturally at the forefront of the world’s stage both politically and culturally, the exhibition is a prescient reminder of China’s continual path of change.
Thousands of Britons have already taken up the offer to see the First Emperor exhibition at the British Museum and at least 500,000 more visitors are expected before it closes on April 6.
And though the exhibition may not be able to recreate exactly the experience of seeing the artefacts in situ in Xi’an, it certainly provides a valuable insight into ancient Chinese history and culture.
