TheMKsports Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) and The Palace Museum have jointly unveiled a new exhibition titled "The Art of Armaments — Qing Dynasty Military Collection from The Palace Museum", which opened to the public on Wednesday. Photo: Coutesy of the Hong Kong Palace Museum

The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) and The Palace Museum have jointly unveiled a new exhibition titled "The Art of Armaments — Qing Dynasty Military Collection from The Palace Museum", which opened to the public on Wednesday, the Global Times learned from the HKPM.

As the first of three new exhibitions jointly presented by the HKPM and The Palace Museum in 2025, "The Art of Armaments" marks the first exhibition in Hong Kong in recent years dedicated to the Qing court's military culture, according to the museum.

The exhibition features nearly 190 artifacts from The Palace Museum, encompassing helmets, archery sets, sabers and swords, equestrian equipment, paintings, textiles, books, albums and scientific instruments, including 18 grade-one national treasures, and explores the military organization, military technology, martial spirit and military art of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), as well as cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries. 

The Art of Armaments exhibition is divided into six sections: "The Rise of the Eight Banners and Qing Rule," which introduces the Eight Banner system established by Nurhaci (1559-1626), founder of the Qing dynasty, along with various specialized military units; "Swords and Sabers across the State," which presents swords and sabers commissioned by the Qing emperors as well as a multitude of foreign sabers that entered the imperial court; "Equestrian Archery and Firearms," which highlights the traditional Manchu skills of horseback archery and outlines the imperial court's emphasis on mastering artillery firing techniques; "Military Drills, Inspections and Rites," which explores the martial protocols of the Qing Dynasty, including the drills of the modernised military units; "Images as Histories," which focuses on battle paintings rendered by court artists to capture moments of triumph in major battles; and "Coastal Defense," which spotlights maritime defense construction during the late Qing Dynasty.

According to the museum, the exhibition will be presented in four rotations, each lasting approximately three months. Key objects exclusively exhibited in the first rotation include a grade-one national treasure: an Emperor Qianlong-period (1711-1799) replica of the helmet used by Nurhaci, which reflects the imperial descendants' respect for their ancestors' achievements.

The exhibition showcases a remarkable collection of swords and sabers from the imperial archives, including unique pieces from various regions of Asia. Among them are a saber-like knife from Isfahan and a saber-like knife from Torghut. These artifacts, crafted from premium materials with extraordinary skill, not only embody exquisite aesthetics but also reflect the rich cultural exchange between diverse cultures.

In conjunction with the exhibition, the museum  will host a variety of learning activities including an interactive workshop themed around battle prints and paintings for children to learn about these unique multi-spatial narratives and to create and role play their own characters based on the exhibits. 

"The Palace Museum is a treasure trove of traditional Chinese culture. 'The Art of Armaments' presents the cultural charm of The Palace Museum, which embodies 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. The curatorial team meticulously selected precious objects to illustrate the imperial military history and martial spirit while highlighting the exceptional craftsmanship and artistry of the Qing court," said Lou Wei, executive deputy director of The Palace Museum. 

"We look forward to the exhibition's success in bringing to life the rich historical stories behind the treasures of the Forbidden City and captivating audiences from Hong Kong and beyond," Lou added.   

Photo: Coutesy of the Hong Kong Palace Museum