A majority of the collection is from the 19th century and later, with some pieces dating back several hundred years. Artists from this last great ancient Chinese dynasty created some of the most beautiful treasures in the world. After the Manchu Dynasty's fall, many of these creations were scattered and lost. Rare examples of this artistry in jade, other precious stones, ivory, porcelain and cloisonn along with furnishings, fabrics, scrolls and other artistic objects are displayed in the Peabody Place Museum and Gallery. I've always been fascinated with the different forms of art that are unique to different countries and, indeed, to different regions within countries.
China is an amazing example.
The different areas of the country have separate artistic specialties that are handed down from one generation to the next. Throughout the museum, visitors view numerous jade pieces ranging from small animals to a 2,000-pound statue that is carved with multiple scenes from Chinese life during the Ming Dynasty. One of the galleries also features a parade of animals along a 40-foot path that leads from a cave. The animals include pairs of horses, tigers, camels and sheep, all created from a variety of precious stones, ivory, cloisonn and other materials. The backdrop to these figures is an enormous mural painted by Elinor Hawkins of Memphis.