"Legends of Luxury and Elegance: Lifestyles of the Han Nobility"
10 February - 3 May 2010
Special Exhibition Gallery
Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Hong Kong, and the Hunan Provincial Museum
Organized by the Hong Kong Museum of History
With the Western and Eastern Han dynasties together lasting over four centuries, the Han was the longest imperial dynasty in the history of China, remembered both for the vast empire it ruled over and the socio-economic prosperity it engendered. What's more, the thinking and cultural traditions that developed during that period continue to exert great influence today. The Han tombs at Mawangdui were among the most important archaeological discoveries made in the 20th century. The relics unearthed there allow us a deeper understanding of the luxurious and elegant lifestyle of the Han nobility as well as of the development of material culture at that time. Showcasing over 100 valuable relics discovered in the Han tombs at Mawangdui and other historical sites of the ancient Changsha kingdom, this exhibition offered a comprehensive insight into Han aristocratic lifestyles – from the dietary culture and the collection of manuscripts to concepts of well-being and health, fashion and beauty – which in turn reflected the vibrant diversity of Han culture.