Exhibition sheds light on life of Confucian descendants

Ritual Integrity and Poetic Refinement, a thematic exhibition about daily life in the official residence of the Confucius Family, opened at Prince Kung's Palace Museum on Tuesday.

Launched in collaboration with the Confucius Museum, the exhibition contains 99 Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) artifacts from the official residence of the philosopher's direct descendants.

Also known as the Duke Yansheng Residence, the site in Qufu, Shandong province, was the hereditary home of the Confucius family for over 800 years from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127).

The title of duke was bestowed on the eldest male in each generation of the main line of descent in accordance with an imperial tradition dating back to 1055.

As China's most enduring aristocratic household, the family preserved ritual objects, scholarly implements, and domestic artifacts that embodied their dual identity as both guardians of Confucian tradition, and participants in imperial court culture.

The exhibition is structured around the family's daily rhythms. The Seasonal Rites section features ceremonial vessels demonstrating ancestral worship protocols, and the Harmony Through Ritual part is dedicated to musical instruments and court regalia. The Literary Pursuits segment is a display of rare manuscripts, inkstones, and scholar's ornaments, and the Culinary Arts section is a presentation of banquet ware.

Among the treasures on display are a resplendent Ming Dynasty women's blue robe with gold-trimmed collar, its fabric sheer as cicada wings, and a blue-and-white porcelain bowl with gilded clover patterns gifted by the royal family, and a Qing Dynasty cloisonne censer with crane motifs, symbolizing longevity. Never-before-exhibited items include a bamboo-root carving of immortals and perfumed powder carvings.

This exhibition is the first in the museum's new series exploring the art of living through historical artifacts, and is designed to provide today's audience with fresh perspectives on cultural heritage. The exhibition runs through Aug 20.