Ancient art

Two Emperors is a significant exhibition that displays selected ancient Chinese artifacts from two of the most significant periods in Chinese history known as the Qin and Han dynasties. The ruthless Emperor Qin Shihuangdi ruled China for 16 years during 221-207 BC and the unifying Emperor Han Jingdi ruled China for 26 years between 206 BC-AD 220.

A formidable terracotta warrior from the Qin dynasty.

The artifacts on display have primarily been excavated from the two Emperors mausoleum's, giving both the museum visitor and archaeologist a good insight into the spiritual and cultural way of life in China 2000 years ago. The most significant aspect of this exhibition is that it is the first time that it has been released to the world. Also, many of the most recently excavated artifacts - some of the world's most celebrated archaeological discoveries - have never been seen before in this country.

The Two Emperors exhibition is subtly segmented into the two ruling dynasties, the Qin and then the Han. Simple clear perspex display cases dominate the polished wood floor space, and are complimented by informative wall plaques that offer detailed information about the Emperors.

The Qin dynasty display cases include gilded bronze swords, spears and arrowheads, gold coins, bronze weights, bronze tallies, and a magnificent 90cm tall bronze bell. The most significant of these displays are the larger-than-life terracotta warriors that literally cannot be missed. The formidable 2 metre high warrior sculptures made from terracotta dominate many metres of floor space and are quite an overwhelming spectacle.

Two earthenware goats from the Han dynasty

The more prosperous Han dynasty subtly begins as the Qin display cases come to an end. There are 20 display cabinets on offer for the Han dynasty, and the items on show present a thorough view of the domesticity of ancient Chinese life and include many ample sized sculptures of domestic animals suchas pigs, goats, dogs and even a camel. Also included is a beautiful 70cm tall gilded bronze incense burner, several jade animals and pendants as well as a selection of earthenware and ceramic figurines.

The items from the Han dynasty are very pleasant to look at although they seemingly do not sustain such prolonged interest as the Qin artifacts.

A gilded bronze sword from the Qin dynasty.

Part of the reason for this is the lighting used on some of the display cases in the Han dynasty. These display cases are noticeably front-lit as the shadow of your head is annoyingly cast across some of the artifacts making them difficult to view.

The ambience of the venue is very constructive in representing the mausoleums where many of the artifacts were discovered, as it feels like a large (albeit spotlessly clean) enclosed tomb. The floor space for the exhibition is approximately 25 ´ 15 metres; the air has a slight musty odour and the lighting provided permeates between display cases from the lights above. The stillness of the air and the knowledge of being in a museum space made people whisper quite often. The reflex recognition of the whispering and the beeps and buzzes of the museum workers two-way radios that subtly let you know there was a careful eye on you at all times, could have been more easily ignored if suitable ambient music had been used within the exhibition.

The $15 adult entry fee may seem a little excessive for a leisurely 25 minute stroll around 48 display cases, but overall this exhibition is well worth the entry fee. The varied artifacts on offer provide a memorable spectacle, and for the same price as an Adult Concession entry you can even take home a 15cm replica 'terracotta warrior' in your pocket, which is great because you wouldn't even want to attempt to fit one of the real ones in your car.

Samantha Aked

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