Bronzes reflect China’s lost treasures

    Fort Worth’s Kimbell Art Museum begins an exhibition this week of ancient bronzes from a recently discovered civilization in China.

    The pieces will be on view at the Kimbell through Jan. 13.

    Treasures from a Lost Civilization: Ancient Chinese Art from Sichuan presents 124 works of art that reflect the material culture and spiritual life of ancient Sichuan, a province in Southwestern China.

    The artifacts cover nearly 1600 years, from the 13th century B.C. to the Han Dynasty in the third century A.D.

    The exhibition is divided into three sections.

    The first section contains the most recently discovered pieces, all unearthed in the last 15 years.

    The site was discovered in the summer of 1986 by brickyard workers digging clay at Sanxingdui, a small village in the Sichuan province.

    This section of the exhibit includes the earliest known life-size statue from ancient China.

    The second section features works from the 11th to the third century B.C.

    Exhibits include bells capable of producing sophisticated music and weapons that reflect the rivalry and warfare of the time period.
    The third section showcases artifacts from the Han dynasty, from 206 B.C. to 220 A.D.

    The works primarily offer evidence of the affluence and material culture of the Chinese dynasty.

    Three kiosks housing interactive computers for visitors follow each section of the exhibition. The computers provide contextual information about each work of art, as well as short stories for both adults and children.

    The stories feature sound and animation and allow multiple pathways for exploration.

    The exhibition was organized by the Seattle Art Museum in collaboration with the Bureau of Cultural Relics, Sichuan Province of the People’s Republic of China.

    Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and students and $6 for children.

    Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

    On Tuesdays, tickets are half-price when purchased at the Kimbell for the same day. Advance tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster.

    For hours and information, call the Kimbell Art Museum at 817-332-8451.