Upon entering the museum, you are immediately captivated by the extensive collection of exhibits that transport you back to the daily life of the Jiangnan region during the Ming and Qing dynasties: from large items such as beds and furniture to small ones like needles and threads, encompassing gold and silver jewelry, clothing and textiles, candle stands and lamps, beds and cabinets, pillow boxes and quilts, crowns and shoes, copper basins and utensils, porcelain and lacquer cups and plates, combs and washing tools, to pearls and jade treasures, and the four treasures of the study. Everything a bride would need upon moving to her husband’s home is here. It is said that these items were carried by people on the day of the bride’s departure, stretching for miles, hence the name ‘Shi Li Hong Zhuang’ (Ten Miles of Red Dressing). These museum collections, mainly from the Qing dynasty, feature furniture and lacquerware that incorporate carving, relief sculpture, painting, gold leaf application, gold dusting, and lacquer coating techniques. They are simple, elegant, and luxurious, with the ‘Chinese Red’ cinnabar lacquer technique being a gem of Chinese craftsmanship, reflecting the traditional lacquer and carving skills of the Ningshao region. The museum’s treasures not only allow visitors to appreciate the beauty embodied in the objects but also provide a rich humanistic context, offering valuable physical models for studying the social and cultural aspects of Eastern Zhejiang during the Ming and Qing periods.
Full text? Opening hours: Closed all day on Mondays throughout the year; Open from 09:00 to 16:30 from Tuesdays to Sundays throughout the year.
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