Royal Ontario Museum Unveils Treasures of the Forbidden City

By Sonya Davidson

There are so many secrets and stories of the Forbidden City. For over 500 years, Chinese Emperors and their families lived within the walls of opulence and away from public eye. Behind the gates of the world's largest imperial palace is an incredible collection of extraordinary treasures. The stories of those who lived there were equally as intriguing. From young Emperors to Empress Dowager Cixi known as "The Dragon Lady" to the concubines and the over 70,000 eunuchs who served as servants -- the dynasties have many stories! 

The Royal Ontario Museum's newest exhibition features the history, culture, art and artifacts of the Forbidden City. Presented in collaboration with the Beijing's Palace Museum, the exhibition brings over 250 items that were carefully curated for some, this first-time viewing in Canada. The display includes 80 items that have never travelled outside the Palace Museum. Some items on display will be shown for limited time due to their exposure to light. Curators will rotate in several new items in June.

The exhibition takes visitors through areas of the Forbidden City from the Outer Court that includes the ceremonial bells, suits of armour, and large scale paintings depicting the Emperor's governing and military battles. Then journey through the palace's great halls, grand courtyards, and the private spaces of the inner court, the residential space of the imperial family and their servants lived, then enter the most private of areas: the  Emperor's personal study. The final exhibit, Twilight of the Last Dynasty, shows the transformation to the Palace Museum where visitors learn about the fall of the empire during the last dynasty.

Items on display help weave an understanding of the culture and history behind the walls and inside the inner courts of the Forbidden City. Each artifact has a story of its own and several interactive digital stations help give insight and perspective on what life was like behind the gates.

Forbidden City: Inside the Court of China's Emperors is at the Royal Ontario Museum until September 1, 2014. Events and lectures are planned. The Forbidden City exhibition launches the Royal Ontario Museum's Centennial year of celebration.

This exhibition will then travel to the Vancouver Art Gallery in October before returning back to the Palace Museum.

Visit www.rom.on.ca for more information.

The Forbidden City official opening with dignitaries including Ontario Premier, Kathleen Wynne; Minister of Culture, Michael Chan; China's Ambassador to Canada, Zhang Junsai, and Senator Victor Oh were on hand at the Lion Dance and "dotting of the eye"ceremony to bring good fortune and luck to the Royal Ontario Museum's exhibition.