"Sailing the Seven Seas: Legends of Maritime Trade of Ming Dynasty" exhibition to showcase historic items from Maritime Silk Road (with photos)
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     An exhibition entitled "Sailing the Seven Seas: Legends of Maritime Trade of Ming Dynasty" opens tomorrow (November 3) at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre. The exhibition will display around 200 archaeological finds from old ships of the Ming dynasty, together with ceramics of the same period unearthed in Hong Kong, to showcase the flourishing trade of the Maritime Silk Road.

     Highlight exhibits include the water storage utensil "blue and white kendi with elephant head design"; the "blue and white bowl with wucai and golden outline" decorated with panchi (a hornless dragon) and a heron in a lotus pond; the "Great Ming paper currency" that circulated during the Ming dynasty; and Chinese herbal medicines, food and daily necessities collected from old ships, such as poria, copper acupuncture needles and bone dice.

     The Maritime Silk Road was a major conduit for China's international trade in ancient times. In addition to promoting trade, it also enhanced the exchange of art, religion and technology. During the Ming dynasty, the seafaring activities of the Maritime Silk Road became even more frequent and prosperous. By featuring valuable artefacts from old ships dated to the Ming dynasty, the exhibition will enable visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the vibrant maritime trade at that time. It will also showcase Ming ceramics unearthed from Penny’s Bay on Lantau Island and Wun Yiu in Tai Po, Hong Kong, to provide visitors with insights on the role Hong Kong played in South China Sea trade.

     Officiating at the opening ceremony today (November 2) were the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li; the Chairman of the Antiquities Advisory Board, Mr Andrew Lam; the Commissioner for Heritage, Mr José Yam; the Deputy Director of Guangdong Museum, Mr Chen Shaofeng; and the Executive Secretary of the Antiquities and Monuments Office, Ms Susanna Siu.

     The exhibition, which offers free admission and runs until March 4, 2018, is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and Guangdong Museum, and organised by the Antiquities and Monuments Office. For details of the exhibition, please visit the Antiquities and Monuments Office's website at www.amo.gov.hk, or call 2208 4400.

     The Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre is located in Kowloon Park, Haiphong Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Ends/Thursday, November 2, 2017
Issued at HKT 15:00

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