The Maritime Silk Road was a major conduit for foreign trade in ancient China. Not only did it promote trade, it also enhanced the exchange of art, religion and technology.
An exhibition entitled “Across the Oceans: the Local Connections & Global Dimensions of China’s Maritime Silk Road” is being held at the Museum of History.
It showcases precious relics from major Chinese port cities, reflecting the impact and contribution of the Maritime Silk Road to the development of the world’s civilisations.
The Maritime Silk Road was comprised of two major shipping routes: the East China Sea route linking China with the Korean Peninsula and Japanese archipelago; and the South China Sea route reaching from China westwards to Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean.
Eight Maritime Silk Road cities - Penglai, Yangzhou, Ningbo, Fuzhou, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, Guangzhou and Beihai - played important roles in the development of maritime transportation and trade.
Through these cities, Chinese silk, pottery, tea, and other goods were sent to the Middle East and other Asian and African locations via the South China Sea, Persian Gulf and Red Sea. Spices, woollen textiles, ivory, and other commodities flowed into China from overseas.
The exhibition displays 170 sets of cultural relics from the eight cities and 30 sets of artefacts from Hong Kong. Most are pottery pieces from different dynasties.
Precious porcelain
Museum of History Curator Terence Cheung said the well-preserved Ming dynasty blue and white porcelain from Zhangzhou kiln is the most precious exhibit.
The blue and white porcelain fired at Zhangzhou kiln in Fujian during the Ming dynasty was the signature product of the porcelain export trade. The product was sold in bulk to Japan and Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia.
Zhangzhou kiln porcelain is decorated with a rich variety of thematic designs, including flora, fauna, mythical creatures and auspicious Chinese characters.
Among the kiln's products are five-coloured porcelain plates with cartouches. The finer products were regarded as symbols of social status and wealth, and were used at weddings or other festivities.
Hong Kong connection
Located at the periphery of the Pearl River Delta, Hong Kong has long been an outer port of Guangzhou. As the economic centre shifted south during the Song and Ming period, Guangzhou gradually became a major port of national importance.
Foreign vessels heading to China usually replenished their supplies in Hong Kong before continuing up the Pearl River to Guangzhou. Simultaneously, commercial vessels exporting goods to foreign locations also sailed through Hong Kong.
Among the show's Hong Kong artefacts are blue and white porcelain bowls made by civilian kilns in Jingdezhen during the Ming dynasty. They were discovered in Penny’s Bay on Lantau Island. They were broken when unearthed and have been restored.
"Why were no complete porcelain items found at the site? We believe when vessels passed through Hong Kong, some broken ceramics were discarded to make space. This proved Hong Kong was a stop along the Maritime Silk Road," Mr Cheung said.
Exotic riches
The Maritime Silk Road brought foreign valuables to China like glassware, agate and amber from Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean region, and as far away as the Mediterranean.
They were redistributed from Hepu, Guangxi, to different locations in China.
Mr Cheung said: "Some agate accessories were discovered in the Han tombs in Hepu. The gemstone agate was primarily a product of Daqin, the ancient Roman Empire. The discovery of these materials proves Hepu’s position as a foreign trade hub for the Central Plains."
The show is a timely resource for the public to learn about the historic evolution and significance of this cultural heritage, as China vies for the nomination of the Maritime Silk Road for inclusion in UNESCO's World Heritage List.
The exhibition runs until December 27.
