On 16 April 2018, a vernissage of the exhibition ‘Ming Dynasty: The Radiance of Knowledge’ took place in the exhibition halls of the Museum. This large-scale exhibition project carries on the tradition of collaboration between the Moscow Kremlin Museums and the Shanghai Museum, which originated in 2012.

“Today we’re opening the exhibition that represents one of the most significant collections of the Shanghai Museum, which has been in friendly relation with our museum for many years,” marked General Director of the Moscow Kremlin Museums Elena Gagarina.

Among participants of the ceremony were Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Moscow Kremlin Museums Sergei Ivanov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Olga Golodets, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Russia Li Hui and Associate Director of the Management Committee of the Shanghai Museum Zhu Cheng.

It is for the first time that a collection of over 150 exhibits representing the Ming dynasty – a highly important period in Chinese history – are presented in Russia. There are jade and bronze items, as well as items made in the techniques of lacquer carving and cloisonné enamel. Visitors will also see unique furniture of the Ming era, notable for characteristic beautiful lines and noble woodcarving; and porcelain—a “trademark” of the Ming dynasty, justly considered as an apex of the “white gold” production. A wonderful set of 66 figures of the honourable escort is one of the highlights of the exhibition.