Fine Dining: Stories of Food in Ancient China

Rus

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11 04 2025 — 17 08 2025

exhibition from the National Museum of China

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Promo video for the exhibition

About exhibition

The exhibition at the Moscow Kremlin Museums is part of the official events program for the Russian-Chinese Intercultural Year 2024−2025, announced by the governments of both countries. The collections of the National Museum of China, one of the largest and most visited museums in the world, are presented for the first time in the Moscow Kremlin. The show will be devoted to such an the important aspect of human culture as gastronomic traditions, and will present the history of these traditions in China.

One hundred and forty-five exhibits — works from different eras, including the first Neolithic tools, traditional kitchen utensils, everyday and ceremonial dishware, painting scrolls, costumes, and table game sets — are grouped into five sections: 'Food from the Eight Corners of the World', 'The Bouquet of Wine and the Scent of Tea', 'Evolution of Kitchenware', 'Precious Tableware', and 'The Ritual Starts with a Meal'.

1

section

Food from the Eight Corners of the World

The first section of the exhibition presents China as a land of abundance and showcases the diversity of the intricate diet of traditional Chinese cuisine, which combines grains, meat, vegetables and fruits.

Granary model.
Han Dynasty (202 BCE — 220 CE)

Bull figurine.
Tang Dynasty (618–907)

Granary model

Han Dynasty (202 BCE — 220 CE). Black-glazed pottery. National Museum of China, Beijing

Pen model with pig and sheep figurines

Han Dynasty (202 BCE — 220 CE). Light green-glazed pottery. National Museum of China, Beijing

Bull figurine

Tang Dynasty (618–907). Yellow-glazed pottery. National Museum of China, Beijing

Famille rose 'bow down' plate with a 'crossing' pattern of peaches and bats

Qing Dynasty (1644–1911). Porcelain. National Museum of China, Beijing

2

section

The Bouquet of Wine and the Scent of Tea

Next, we will explore items used for the production, storage, and consumption of wine and tea — these allow us to trace significant changes that have occurred over time in the national traditions of winemaking and the tea culture of Ancient China.

Gaiwan lidded bowl with underglaze cobalt blue 'eight treasures' pattern

Hu teapot with the characters 'longevity'

Zhuzi ewer with engraved bird, animal, and floral patterns

Tang Dynasty (618–907). Gilt silver. National Museum of China, Beijing

Gaiwan lidded bowl with underglaze cobalt blue 'eight treasures' pattern

Qing Dynasty (1644–1911). Porcelain. National Museum of China, Beijing

Hu teapot with the characters 'longevity'

Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). Jade. National Museum of China, Beijing

3

section

Evolution of Kitchenware

The display in this section of the exhibition vividly illustrates the evolution of kitchenware in China over the millennia.

Huoguo hotpot
Qing Dynasty, 1849
Yixing ware
National Museum of China, Beijing

This type of utensil appeared in the Western Zhou period (c. 1046−771 BC). The huoguo shown here is an example of the traditional Manchurian hotpot: charcoal was placed in the cylinder in the centre, while water was poured into the reservoir around it. Thin slices of meat were dipped into the boiling water and eaten.

Ding tripod with interlocking square spirals pattern qiequwen

Spring and Autumn Period (770– 476 BCE). Bronze. National Museum of China, Beijing

Huoguo hotpot

Qing Dynasty, 1849. Yixing ware. National Museum of China, Beijing

Stove model

Western Jin Dynasty (266–316). Celadon-glazed pottery. National Museum of China, Beijing

4

section

Precious Tableware

The following section introduces the variety of materials and forms used in China to create exquisite tableware.

Ping jar with long neck and intertwined branch and flower pattern

Set of painted tableware

Leather wineskin-shaped flask with clouds and dragons relief design

Liao Dynasty (916–1125). Green-glazed porcelain. National Museum of China, Beijing

Set of painted tableware

Qing Dynasty (1644–1911). Wood, red lacquer. National Museum of China, Beijing

Ping jar with long neck and intertwined branch and flower pattern

Liao Dynasty (916–1125). Gold. National Museum of China, Beijing

5

section

The Ritual Starts with a Meal

The concluding section of the exhibition is dedicated to the place and role of dining in Chinese rituals.

Bei wine cup and tray for the Luming banquet, held in the jiawu year (11th year) of the Shunzhi period

You wine vessel

Bei wine cup and tray for the Luming banquet, held in the jiawu year (11th year) of the Shunzhi period

Qing Dynasty, Shunzhi period, 1654. Silver. National Museum of China, Beijing

You wine vessel

Shang Dynasty (circa 1600 — 1046 BCE). Bronze. National Museum of China, Beijing

Fine Dining: Stories of Food in Ancient China / Compiling editor E. Shcherbina — The Moscow Kremlin State Historical and Cultural Museum and Heritage Site. — Moscow, 2025

The publication coincides with the exhibition "Fine Dining: Stories of Food in Ancient China" at the Moscow Kremlin Museums, organised as is part of the official events programme for the Russian-Chinese Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2024−2025. The catalogue introduces the reader to the history of Chinese culinary tradition, which spans several millennia and reflects the Chinese people’s tireless pursuit of a good life.

One hundred and forty-five exhibits from the collection of the National Museum of China — works from different periods, from the Neolithic to modern times — tell the gastronomic story of this great nation, its life, and the philosophical ideas that are reflected in its dining culture. The catalogue features ancient archaeological pieces in bronze and ceramics, exquisite porcelain, gold, silver, jade, and agate pieces, as well as national costumes and picturesque scrolls. The book is divided into five thematic sections: 'Food from the Eight Corners of the World', 'The Bouquet of Wine and the Scent of Tea', 'The Evolution of Kitchenware', 'Precious Tableware', and 'The Ritual Starts with a Meal'.

This lavishly illustrated publication reveals the everyday life, customs, and traditions of the inhabitants of ancient China through the lens of culinary traditions, rituals, aesthetics, and etiquette related to dining, while also demonstrating the evolution of ancient Chinese gastronomic tradition and its profound cultural significance.

Exhibition catalogue

Books and souvenirs

The catalogue is on sale at the exhibition hall of the Assumption Belfry, in the Museum shops in Alexander garden and by the Patriarch’s Palace, in the Armoury Chamber, and on the OZON marketplace.

rub.

2 500

Postcard
50 rub.

Three types, size – 10×15 cm, matt coated paper.