On October 30, Gathering of Operas, Homecoming of National Treasures — Special Exhibition of Yuanmingyuan Bronze Animal Heads and Repatriated Overseas Cultural Relicsopened at the Kunshan Museum of Chinese Operas in Jiangsu Province.Coinciding with the third anniversary of the museum’s inauguration, four original Yuanmingyuan bronze animal heads are on display, imbuing the Jiangnan autumn with profound historical and cultural richness.

Opera performers of Kunqu visit the Special Exhibition of Yuanmingyuan Bronze Animal Heads and Repatriated Overseas Cultural Relics. Courtesy of Kunshan Museum of Chinese Operas.

The exhibition takes “Homecoming of National Treasures” as its main thread. It systematically brings together precious cultural relics from different periods, including Shang and Zhou bronze wares, Northern Dynasties stone statues, and the Yuanmingyuan bronze animal heads of the Qing Dynasty. Through this diverse assembly of artifacts, the show draws horizontal comparisons of craftsmanship, artistic styles and design philosophies across eras. It illustrates the manufacturing prowess of ancient Chinese craftsmen and the traditional artistic system from multiple dimensions, offering visitors a systematic and multi-layered perspective to appreciate cultural relics.

The four original Yuanmingyuan bronze animal heads on display — the Ox, Tiger, Monkey and Pig Heads — feature distinct forms and powerful presence, embodying the beauty of traditional Chinese craftsmanship. The Ox Head has wide-open eyes and an imposing aura. The Tiger Head stands out with upright mane, blending the features of both lion and tiger. The Monkey Head wears a lively gaze and vivid expression. The Pig Head boasts simple, unadorned lines that reflect classical Chinese aesthetic taste. Cast from high-quality red copper, the animal heads are exquisitely carved and cast with ingenious structural design.

Kunshan, the birthplace of Kunqu Opera, boasts a profound reservoir of traditional opera heritage. It has long devoted itself to the preservation, inheritance and promotion of traditional opera. The exhibition will run through January 5, 2027. Visitors may step into the gallery to view the returned national treasures and precious cultural relics from successive dynasties up close, and experience the charm of Chinese civilization spanning thousands of years in an immersive way.