Sanxiang Metropolis Daily, January 18 (All-media reporter Wu Daixia) On the morning of January 18, the "European Feast - Gilbert Exhibition of the British V&A Museum" co-sponsored by the Hunan Provincial Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum of the United Kingdom and supported by the China Cultural Relics Exchange Center opened at the Hunan Provincial Museum.
This exhibition exhibits 90 European art treasures such as gold and silverware, snuff boxes, miniature mosaics, etc., including the most exquisite parts of the collection system of Rosalind and Arthur Gilbert, vividly reflecting the lifestyle and social etiquette of European courts and aristocrats in the 17th and 19th centuries, and is a visual feast on European history, culture and art.
The first part is noble and elegant. European gold and silverware was favored by the court and the nobility for its noble luxury and extraordinary craftsmanship. Some of these gold and silver objects are used as religious ceremonial vessels, representing solemnity and piety; some are used as gifts to highlight honor and wealth; and some are used as commemorative objects to highlight merit and honor. At the same time, gold and silver craftsmen closely follow the popular trend of the royal and aristocratic banquet style, innovate the production process, and produce noble and elegant banquet tableware to meet the living habits and aesthetic tastes of customizers.
The second part is pocket-sized and flawless. Pocket portraits and snuff boxes are typical examples of pocket art from the 17th-19th centuries in Europe, and are beloved ornaments carried by court aristocrats. Pocket portraits, painted with paints and enamels, rose in the 16th century, became popular in England and France in the 17th century, and gradually spread throughout Europe. Snus boxes are one of the hallmarks of aristocratic status, and sniffing snus is considered a more elegant and noble act than using a pipe. Exchanging snuff was an important form of socializing, and the emperor even issued edicts stipulating the etiquette of exchange. The snuff boxes customized by the aristocracy according to their personal aesthetics are mostly made of gold and silver and inlaid with precious stones, or decorated with pocket portraits, or absorbed enamel paintings, miniature mosaics and other crafts, which are very distinctive and exquisite.
The third part is a micro masterpiece. Mosaic is a mosaic art that uses small stones, shells, tiles, glass and other colored inserts to make decorative patterns. This craft originated in the West Asian region, matured in Italy during the ancient Roman period, and derived miniature mosaics during the Renaissance. Unlike traditional mosaics, miniature mosaics are made of very fine mosaics of various colors to create patterns or portraits, closer to the painting effect, and are commonly found on snuff boxes, decorative paintings and furniture. Decorative themes include ancient Roman monuments, religious scenes, landscapes, animals and flowers. In the mid-18th century, miniature mosaics began to be inlaid into small ornaments, with rich themes, bright colors and unique ingenuity.
In addition to the exquisite cultural relics, the artistic design of the exhibition hall is also ingenious, using a large number of European elements and shapes to create a visiting atmosphere, and also built a "European living room" in the exhibition hall, the audience can participate in the experience, more intuitively feel the scene and atmosphere of the European court and noble banquet, and is also an excellent place to take photos and punch cards.