Tuesday 14 April 2009

Day 54-58 Pt 2-Taiwan

DAY 55 & DAY 58

My main and almost singular purpose for coming to Taipei - Miniatures Museum of Taiwan ("MMOT"), a sneak peak of which was given in Day 37. I have already published my 1st post on the MMOT in my Projects Blog. I will continue to post pictures of the exhibits on that blog and I believe I have enough pictures to last a lifetime (in dollhouse years).The ones I post here are those relating to my Maharajah Palace. I must say there are not many.

ETHNIC PRINCESSES
Firstly, these Ethnic Princesses would have been invited to Raj and Tara's wedding if only they were of the right scale but alas, Barbie Dolls are not allowed at the palace for they make Prince look puny.



Museum Artifacts
These are artifacts crafted by artisans that are really beautiful and in my humble view, should belong to a palace instead of a museum.


Museum Furniture
Heirloom pieces collected from all over the world. The 1st set is from the Venetian Mansion and the other is a finely painted Chinese Chest. My Maharajah who loves all things gold will want to acquire these priceless treasures.

There are many more and I will undoubtedly find them when I finish sorting out the pictures but in the meantime, this page is about to explode with these wonders and high resolution pictures and there's still pictures of my purchases.

You know, as I was clicking away at the Museum, so many of you popped into my head. I realise how much I have come to identify you guys with the minis you create. I hope you will visit my project blog and let me know if I am right identifying you with that particular exhibit.

So to end my most memorable museum visits, here are some of the palace acquisitions (I have picked only the more note worthy pieces because you can find the rest quite easily except in Singapore)

PALACE TREASURES
The Golden Urns
(1 1/2" by 1/2" at widest)


In Tibet, children believed to be the reincarnations of the Dalai Lama or the Panchen Lama are identified by a lottery method, where names of competing candidates are written on folded slips of paper placed in a golden urn. This controversial method originated from a decree passed by Emperor Qianlong in 1792. There are two Golden Urns issued by the Emperor. One is enshrined in Jokhnag Temple in Lhasa for choosing Dalai and Panchen Lama reincarnations, the other is in Yonghe Palance, or Lama Temple, in Beijing for choosing Mongolian Khutughtu reincarnations

This method of selection is not always approved by the Government of Tibet in Exile. A picture of the real Golden Urn is below (standing at 34 cm high) :

Quite clearly, mine are imitations.

Qinghua Porcelain Series
(Vases-1 7/8" for tallest piece-1" (widest)

The evolution of Chinese Porcelain began during the Shang Dynasty, flourished during the Yuan and thereafter the Ming and Qing dynasties which were the golden age of "china" . During the thriving period, Jingdeshen, the Porcelain Capital extended for a number of kilometres with 100,000 ceramic workshops firing and kilning china. Yet Qinghua porcelain has outlasted all the works. Its production leverages on the art of Chinese Painting as well as sophisticated kilning techniques. Qinghua porcelain wares feature blue and white, creating the style of elegance and beauty.Hence Qinghua porcelain wares not only represent Chinese cultural and artistic treasures but also serves as a remarkable subject in the world cultural and art history-Written on card that came with these fridge magnets.

The Antique Notebook
(3" by 2" when closed and 67" long when open)

This book opens out to almost 60" of continuous Chinese landscape painting in traditional style with calligraphy. Some critics regard landscape painting as the highest form of Chinese painting. It is really quite amazing in real life. Mine is of course just a print reproduction.

Blue and White Porcelain Plates
(1 2/8" diameter)

Sporadic with the blue and white colour, blue and white porcelain had been exquisite in the Yuan Dynasty (around the 14th century) in China.Its perfectly glazed colour and rich arrangement of layers make it the representative work of China-More souvenir card literature

Imperial Dragon Gowns (Manchurian Dynasty)
(7/8" to 1 2/8" (extended sleeves)

The Manchurian (Ching) Dynasty represents an era in Chinese history when the Manchurian and the Han cultures were in close interchange. The Manchurian dresses and adornment stood for the most significant change in the Chinese history. The Dynasty also represented a non-Han ethnic era which maintained most of the Manchurian traditions. The Manchurian dresses and adornment were made largely to cater to the Manchurian horseback riders . Imperial Dragon Gowns made to be worn by Emperors often entail fine and exquisite workmanship, fastidiously selected materials and magnificent colors.

This is my 2nd favourite purchase.

PALACE CHAIR
(6" BY 4")

This is my favourite, favourite piece and the only one at the museum shop There is no history and the oldest staff at the shop told me it was there since her 1st day of work. If anyone of you know or have seen this piece of furniture, do let me know.

REAL LIFE BOOKS

I believe I bought all the titles available on MMOT's exhibits, in particular there are 5 books featuring the winning pieces of MMOT's annual miniature room box competiton.





Day 55 (Evening) Taipei 101

And so after a most satisfying day at the Miniature Heaven, we made our way to the tallest building in the world, Taipei 101. You need to pay S$19 to get to the 88th 89th and 91st floor but it was worth it. The stunning night lights from up there is both beyond my power to describe or the capability of my Cannon to capture so I won't even try. There is one thing though that I must record. As we walked out onto the verandah on the 91st floor, we witnessed the most fantastic phenomenon. Right above our heads, a billowy cluster of fog was twirling around with the hissing winds. It is a most amazing feeling because it felt like you were walking admist the clouds! Wow, 2 heavens in 1 day, what more can you ask? Below is a poor attempt to capture the feeling but maybe you will know what I mean.

16 comments:

Mercedes Spencer @ Liberty Biberty said...

Wow! The museum's minis are amazing. You've picked up some nice things for the palace there. The chair is fantastic! look forward to seeing more!
Mercedes

Hertta said...

I am also looking forward to see more of this kind of heaven ; )
Helena

Sans! said...

Thank you, Mercedes and Helena and yes, loads more will be posted at the Projects Blog.

Meli Abellán said...

Really impressed with all the furniture and treasures of the palace!!! It's so beautiful.
Warm regards,
Meli

Debbie said...

Wonderful Photo's. Thanks for sharing your new treasures with us..Love the Chair.

Sans! said...

Thank you Meli and Debbie. I am posting pictures as I type and there are pictures I took for you two, so do watch out for them at the Projects Blog :). U too Helena and of course, Mercedes.

Tallulah Belle said...

Beautiful things Susan. I am absolutely in love with that chair...what an amazing find. it is stunning.

That fog looks like it was a great experience ...looks out of this world.

Jayne x

Sans! said...

It was amazing! The fog experience together with the museum is worth every penny I saved to go to Taipei. The food is great too. The food names I listed in my last post are heave-inducing, I know (rather intentional ;D) to quote Debbie, but I am really missing them. The bonus is much much more. Highly recommended. I will post my purchase from the National Palace Museum next.

Katie said...

...I just love all the little treasures you got! The china dishes and pots are so pretty!!! Love that Palace chair! Amazing detail!!

Sans! said...

Thank you Katie! I am glad you pop by :D. I was looking for star wars stuff in Taiwan but Ironman is the thing now, not Star Wars :C!

rosanna said...

My goodness, I'm late, I'm late! I can only ask forgiving due to precarious health. Well, the chair is amazing, very good shopping, the emperor's gowns intrigue me, Are they true? I mean they are actual mini gowns or are they flat? anyway they are very nice as well as all your buyings. You have spent well every single penny my dear. Hugs

Sans! said...

Oh Rosanna, I won't be able to afford real mini dragon gowns! These are made of melamine but feel like porcelain. They have flat backs and are very very well made. Pictures do not show the pattern of the gown which are gorgeous. I may put them up on the wall of one of the palace rooms.

Katie said...

Aweee....at least you were thinking of us! I too have been secretly looking for some pretty paper for a bag or 2:) I have some really pretty material around here that reminds me of you! I'll have to post a picture of it!

Sans! said...

LOL, thank you, Katie! Your bags will be appreciated, a lot !

Pubdoll said...

So many treasures you got in Taiwan!
The photos from the museum are gorgeous! I love all the porcelain you bought and the chair is just perfect! I suddenly feel a great urge visiting the museum myself!

Sans! said...

Helene, I understand from Josje that the largest mini museum which was in the Netherlands has already closed down, making this one in Taiwan now no.1. If you want to visit this one, I believe it will be a long long flight. They are also in need of funding that's why I shopped so much there. LOL

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