Thousands of years of Chinese ritual bronzes arrives at The Ringling in Eternal Offerings exhibit!
Eternal Offerings officially opens to the public at The Ringling Museum of Art today, but we got a chance to see the exhibit today for a behind the scenes sneak peek! Let’s take a look at what Eternal Offerings is all about and what you can expect when you visit!
Eternal Offerings showcases nearly 100 Chinese bronze objects from the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia.) Mia’s Asian art collection is considered one of the most important in the United States, and this exhibition at The Ringling is the first time these significant objects will have toured. The works showcased span millennia, (the earliest piece being from the 13 century BCE and the latest from the 19 century) revealing the evolution of bronzes in Chinese society.
The exhibition highlights the many uses of these objects including their role in ancestral rites, as symbols of power and supremacy, as vessels for burial, and as luxury items and art objects. Eternal Offerings also looks at how inscriptions on bronzes can uncover information on Chinese history and the nature of rituals.
The exhibit features objects from food cauldrons, wine and drink holders, ceremonial bells, and other ancient artifacts from the 9 regions of China. These pieces showcase not only the Chinese culture and history but also gives us a glimpse into the social structure in their society.
The exhibit, which is included in general admission to The Ringling will run daily from June 9th until September 10th, 2017.
$25 general admission includes the Museum of Art, special exhibitions, Circus Museum and bayfront gardens; senior citizens (65 and over) are $23; children ages 6-17 are $5; free admission for children 5 and under accompanied by an adult museum member.
To learn more about The Ringling and Eternal Offerings, check out their link here!