Exhibition of excavated gold and silver treasures from the Song Dynasty

In 1986, archaeologists in Yi County, in northern China’s Hebei Province, discovered piles of gold and silver handicrafts underground, attracting national attention and providing historians with material to learn about a bygone era.

Some antiques were engraved with the characters “元丰四年” and “政和六年”, which refer to the years 1081 and 1116 during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Experts therefore believe that the discovery may have been a result of the social unrest that occurred when the royal court retreated from northern to southern China to escape the Jurchen invasion. Perhaps the refugees decided to bury the treasures rather than carry them with them as they fled.

Four hundred of these buried antiques, including 14 national treasures of the highest quality, are on display at the Hangzhou Linping Museum, also known as China Jiangnan Watertown Cultural Museum, until August 11. Organizers have divided the exhibits into four sections, namely wine vessels, jewelry, currency and others.

Gold was more popular in the Song Dynasty than in previous dynasties because the royal court of the time approved private mining and free trade. Gold, which had previously been unattainable, was made accessible to the common people. Song-style wine vessels were characterized by smoother lines, floral motifs, and thinner textures.

Wine was promoted at that time because it dominated the tax revenue of the imperial court. The Song people designed a variety of different wine vessels, including zhuwan (注碗, watering bowl), panyu (盘盂, wine tray) and Subscribe to (酒盏, wine cup). The series of silver and gold wine vessels in the exhibition illustrates the peak of aesthetics during the Song Dynasty.

As the economy developed rapidly during the dynasty, people’s lives quickly became enriched. Exquisite accessories show their passion for creating a luxurious life. Hairpins, earrings, combs, bracelets and other accessories made of gold with sophisticated patterns and sculptures were popular among the nobility.

When a daughter from a wealthy family married, she gave the groom’s family a dowry, which had to include some gold items. The common people used more affordable silver to make accessories, imitating the style of the nobility.

At that time, parents invited goldsmiths to their homes to make a variety of accessories. Among them, hairpins were the most sought-after. Flowers and phoenixes were the most common patterns engraved on the surfaces.

Many of the accessories were also decorated with fruits and vines. These patterns symbolized harmony and happiness and were beautifully embossed on the artifacts.

The highlight of the exhibition is a golden comb with the motif of manchijiao (满池娇, a pond full of delicate beauty), which depicts lotus, mandarin ducks and aquatic plants in a pond. The pattern was popular among ancient people as it reflected social status and wealth.

Even today, the tradition of wearing glittering accessories continues among Chinese women of all walks of life, as it is believed to bring good luck and wealth.

As early as the Shang Dynasty (ca. 16th – 11th century BC), China began to use precious metals, especially gold and silver, as currency.

During the Song Dynasty, gold and silver bars were further developed in terms of standardization and geographical reach, and became affordable to the masses as trade reached its peak during this dynasty.

Just as serial numbers are printed on paper money today, the bars of that time were printed with Chinese characters that indicated their origin and sometimes also their intended use.

When you go

Venue: Hangzhou Linping Museum

Date: Until August 11 (closed Mondays), 8:45 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Address: 95 South Ave, Linping District

95% discount on nine-month rent