List of Chinese cultural relics forbidden to be exhibited abroad 禁止出境展览文物 comprises a list of antiquities and archaeological artefacts held by various museums and other institutions in the People’s Republic of China, which the Chinese government has officially prohibited, since 2003, from being taken abroad for exhibition.
National Treasure – “Guoji Zibai” Bronze Pan (Western Zhou Dynasty) - This bronze basin was the largest ever excavated in China and was used for bathing. Just don't throw the baby… Continue Reading
National Treasure – “Li” Bronze Gui (Western Zhou) - A crucial battle recorded for posterity, a tyrannical rule ended, a new era was born. Continue Reading
National Treasure – “Zi Long” Bronze Ding (Shang Dynasty) - The Chinese government spent an undisclosed amount of money to procure her home. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Agate Rhyton Inlaid With Gold Plug (Tang Dynasty) - The agate rhyton inlaid with gold plug, a decorative item likely from the Silk Road, reflects cross-cultural exchange. Originating from… Continue Reading
National Treasure – Bo Ju Li with Ox-head Ornaments (Western Zhou) - This is a bronze unearthed in Beijing, dating the capital's history back by 3,000 years. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Bronze “Tai Bao” Ding (Western Zhou) - With its elegant long legs, here comes the "supermodel" of ancient bronze ding. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Bronze Chariot No. 1 (Qin Dynasty) - The two bronze chariots and horses found at Emperor Qin Shihuang’s mausoleum are known as "The Crown of Bronze Works".… Continue Reading
National Treasure – Bronze Cowrie Containers from Antiquity Yunnan (Western Han Dynasty) - Piggy bank from 2nd century BC, it was used by the Dian 滇 people to keep their precious cowrie shells. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Bronze Divine Tree (Shang Dynasty) - At 3.96 metres in height, it's the largest single bronze artefact ever discovered in China. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Bronze Zun with Four Rams (Shang Dynasty) - Baa Baa Black Sheep have you any wool? Yes Sir, Yes Sir, Three bags full. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Celadon Glazed Cadogan-Type Pot With Flower Carvings And Handle, Yaozhou Ware (Five Dynasties) - This is the earliest version discovered in China, dating back to the Five Dynasties. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Celadon Granary Jar with Architecture, Figurines and Animals (Three Kingdoms – Wu) - The purpose of a hunping is somewhat enigmatic, but archaeologists suggest that they may have been used as containers for… Continue Reading
National Treasure – Celadon Vase with Bowstrings, Guan Ware (Southern Song) - The kiln site of the Southern Song Dynasty official kiln is located in Hangzhou. Archaeologists have conducted multiple excavations there,… Continue Reading
National Treasure – Da He Ding (Shang Dynasty) - The first time I ever saw your face ~~~~ - Roberta Flack, 1969 Continue Reading
National Treasure – Da Ke Ding (Western Zhou Dynasty) - The ding was an honour given by feudal kings, and it was unusual for a chef to be given such… Continue Reading
National Treasure – Da Yu Bronze Ding (Western Zhou Dynasty) - After leaving Beijing two different times, it is finally back in the Capital for good. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Duck-Shaped Glass Water Dropper (Northern Yan) - Its use was not known, but it is the testimony of an ancient trade route called the Silk Road. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Eagle-shaped Pottery Ding (Neolithic Period) - It catches your eyes the moment you enter the museum. And it looks intently at you just like Kermit the… Continue Reading
National Treasure – Gilded Silver Belt Hook (Warring States – Wei) - Another evidence of cultural exchange from the West happened long, long time ago - before the Silk Road. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Gilt-Silver Wine-Drinking Game Set “The Analects Jade Candle” (Tang Dynasty) - Construction of the new bridge uncovered one of the largest silverware haul in modern archaeology. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Goddess Head (Neolithic – Hongshan) - This mask hails from a 5,000-year-old painted clay goddess that was found in the 1983 at the apex of the… Continue Reading
National Treasure – Gold Sceptre from Sanxingdui (Shang Dynasty) - Symbol of power from over 3000 years ago, a lost civilisation from Sanxingdui. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Gold-decorated Silver Kettle with the Pattern of a Dancing Horse (Tang Dynasty) - This kettle from the Tang Dynasty symbolises the culture of dancing horses in ancient China. The detailed design depicts the… Continue Reading
National Treasure – Grand Statue of Human Figure (Shang Dynasty) - One of the biggest questions that still confounds Sanxingdui experts is: What did the bronze standing man once hold in… Continue Reading
National Treasure – Green-Glazed Dragon-Handled Vase With Phoenix Top (Northern Dynasties) - A Chinese ewer inspired by a Persian original indicates the spread of cultures among the Silk Road nations. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Houmuwu Ding (Shang Dynasty) - The Houmuwu ding is definitely the heaviest of the heavy, the ultimate National "Heavy" Treasure 國之"重"器. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Human-Faced Fish Decoration Pottery Bowl (Neolithic-Yangshao) - A life cut short, a wish that lasted forever. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Ivory Cup inlaid with Turquoise (Shang Dynasty) - She was Wu Ding's lover, confidante and comrade-in-arms. When she died at just 33 years of age, he was devastated.… Continue Reading
National Treasure – Jade Dragon (Neolithic – Hongshan) - This is the famous C-shaped jade dragon, a significant artefact from the Neolithic Hongshan culture. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Jade Drinking Vessel in Rhinoceros Horn Shape (Early Han) - This ancient jade sippy cup from the Han Dynasty is so fabulous, it’s a National Treasure. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Jade Seal of the Empress (Western Han Dynasty) - She was the dictator behind the young emperors in the early years of the Han dynasty, and this seal was… Continue Reading
National Treasure – Jade Zhang (Ritual Object) with The-Worship-of-Mountain Patterns (Shang Dynasty) - Interpretation is subjective. It was thought to be a token of the military but then it was for mountain worship. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Jingyun Bell (Tang Dynasty) - The bell was originally cast for a Taoist temple, then moved to Xi'an bell tower, hidden away during the Second… Continue Reading
National Treasure – Lacquered Wooden Screen Accessories (Early Han) - Accessories of the lacquered screen exhibits exceptional craftsmanship, significant historical value, and serves as a cultural relic. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Lotus-Crane Square Hu (Spring-Autumn Period) - Pair of square bronze jars from the tomb of the Duke of Zheng were separated, one in Henan, and another… Continue Reading
National Treasure – Lotus-flower-shaped Celadon Bowl with Special Glaze (Five Dynasties) - Crafted around a thousand years ago, the secrets of its unique glaze and firing technique have been lost to time,… Continue Reading
National Treasure – Memorial Stone Engraved With Illustrations Of Buddhist Stories (Wu Zhou) - Religion, when abused, can be a very powerful political propaganda machine, like this Wu Zhou stele justifying the legitimacy of… Continue Reading
National Treasure – Mural Depicting Horse Riders From The Tomb Of Lou Rui (Northern Qi) - The ocean is a desert with it's life underground And a perfect disguise above Under the cities lies a heart… Continue Reading
National Treasure – Nestorianism Spread in China Stele (Tang Dynasty) - Hallelujah! May the Gospel of our Lord spread far and wide! Continue Reading
National Treasure – Opalescent-Blue Glazed Zun, Jun Ware (Northern Song) - Jun ware became widely imitated in China and Japan, with over 100 sites having produced Jun. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Painted Lacquer Screen Of Sima Jinlong (Northern Wei) - In celebration of International Women's Day. One of the finest examples of lacquer artwork from the Northern Wei period, featuring… Continue Reading
National Treasure – Painted Pottery Basin with Dancing Figures (Neolithic) - I like to shake a leg / I like to nod my head / I like to make a snow… Continue Reading
National Treasure – Painted Pottery Jar with Nude Figure in Relief (Neolithic Period) - The sanctity of childbirth and the male-female figures are important symbols of Chinese Neolithic culture. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Painted Pottery Jar with Stork, Fish and Stone Axe (Neolithic-Yangshao) - One of the earliest storytelling depicted on a pottery jar from 5000 years ago. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Pale-azure-glazed Incense Burner with String Pattern, Ru Ware (Northern Song) - It is said that if you own a fragment, it is still worth millions. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Phoenix Coronet for Empress Xiaoduan (Ming Dynasty) - In 1956, the Dingling archaeological dig uncovered Empress Xiaoduan's 九龍九鳳冠 phoenix coronet with nine dragons and nine phoenixes. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Picture of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove (Southern Dynasties) - They were spiritual symbols of the mandarins, taking a laissez-faire approach to life, the Hippies of the 3rd century China. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Pottery Basin With Painted Coiled Dragon Pattern (Neolithic) - "Waiter, there's a snake in my soup!" Continue Reading
National Treasure – Pottery Stove with Pottery Cauldron (Neolithic – Hemudu) - The museum says it's for baking clay like a low temperature kiln, but it looks more like a cooking stove. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Rectangular Sheng by Shang Yang (Warring States – Qin) - This is way before ISO exists, and is used as a standard measure for volume of one "sheng". Continue Reading
National Treasure – Rectangular casket with lacquered shallow relief with gilt painting (Western Han) - These trinket boxes from 2000 years ago will make Marie Kondo smile with approval. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Royal Jade Cong (Neolithic Period) - Discovered in 1986, this was the heaviest jade Cong on record from the Liangzhu period. Hence the name, "King of… Continue Reading
National Treasure – Sancai Pottery Performers on Camelback (Tang Dynasty) - The Tang Dynasty relic portrays a touring orchestra on a camel's back, exemplifies the tri-coloured glazing technique. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Seal of Dian King (Western Han) - It was the fashion to bury the seal with the dead, and due to this custom that since the Han… Continue Reading
National Treasure – Speckle-glazed Porcelain Waist Drum (Tang Dynasty) - Lying inconspicuously in the display of the Palace Museum Porcelain Galley, this stone drum is often overlooked. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Statue of Horse Trampling a Xiongnu (Western Han Dynasty) - Huo Qubing, a legendary Han Dynasty general, is commemorated by the statue of a horse trampling a Xiongnu barbarian. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Stone Drums of Qin (Warring States – Qin) - A collection of ten stones recorded a hunting trip 3,000 years ago, recovered in the 7th century and have since… Continue Reading
National Treasure – Stone Sculpture of Taoist Deity (Tang Dynasty) - You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or… Continue Reading
National Treasure – T-Shaped Silk Funeral Banner From The Tomb Of Lady Dai (Western Han) - The silk painting expresses the ancients' imagination of heaven and their pursuit of immortality. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Vase With Tiger And Leopard Design Against A Pearl-Patterned Backdrop (Song Dynasty) - Almost ignored by most visiting the Palace Museum in Beijing, this Song dynasty Dengfeng vase is the only one of… Continue Reading
National Treasure – Water Bowl In The Shape Of A Makara, Yaozhou Ware (Five Dynasties) - Most likely a water dropper, but its use is still not certain. Continue Reading
National Treasure – White-glazed Double-bellied Vase with Double Dragon-shaped Handles (Sui Dynasty) - When Zhang Qian discovered the land route to the Western regions, little did he realise the impact on Chinese civilisation… Continue Reading
National Treasure – Yangshao Boat-shaped Painted Pottery Jar (Neolithic) - Egyptian painted boats on pottery jar during Predynastic period (~3500BC), the Chinese made boat-shaped pottery jar. Continue Reading
National Treasure – Zhong of Su Marquis of Jin (Western Zhou) - It was stolen from the tomb in Shanxi and then found in antique shops Hong Kong. The tomb raiders did… Continue Reading
National Treasure -Jade Yue (Battle-Axe) (Neolithic – Liangzhu) - Found in elite tombs, often placed in the deceased's hand, indicating its importance as an attribute of power. Continue Reading
National Treasure- Celadon Glazed Porcelain Zun With Design Of A Monster (Western Jin) - It looks like a child's Play-doh creation, but it has been guarding its master's tomb for the past 1300 years Continue Reading
National Treasures – Bird-shaped Zun of the Marquis of Jin State (Western Zhou) - The owner gave the State of Jin its name, but his grave was raided and nothing was left to identify… Continue Reading
National Treasures – Coffin With Painted Design On Vermilion Lacquer Coating (Western Han) - This is the second of four coffins that are nested like a Russian Doll. Continue Reading
National Treasures – Han Huang, “Five Oxen” (Tang Dynasty) - A fine painting can portray many stories. This is one of the reasons that Five Oxen is regarded as one… Continue Reading
National Treasures – Ivory Butterfly-Shaped Container With Double-Bird Pattern (Neolithic – Hemudu) - This archaeological artefact was unearthed at Hemudu, Yuyao, which demonstrates the sacred primitive belief of Hemudu people. Continue Reading
National Treasures – Jade Pendants of the Jin Marchioness (Western Zhou) - These jade pendants flow down the dress of the Marchioness like a percussive wind chime that rustle as she walks. Continue Reading
National Treasures – Lacquered Wooden Bowl (Neolithic – Hemudu) - The earliest example of lacquerware found in China Continue Reading
National Treasures – Liubo Chess Set (Western Han) - "A strange game... the only winning move is not to play. How about a nice game of chess?" - WOPR,… Continue Reading
National Treasures – Straight Lapel Plain Unlined Silk Gauze Gown (Western Han) - But thy eternal summer shall not fade, / Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st; / Nor shall death… Continue Reading
National Treasures – Treasures of Li Jingxun (Sui Dynasty) - The owner was a pearl on the palms of her distinguished parents, and when her life was cut short, she… Continue Reading
National Treasures – Zhang Zeduan “Along the River During the Qingming Festival” (Northern Song) - A wonderful long scroll depicting the most prosperous era in China history. This is the original. Continue ReadingThe list was first announced in January 2002 (64 items), with a second batch of items added to the list in June 2012 (37 items), and a third batch added the next year in July 2013 (94 items).1
Footnotes:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Chinese_cultural_relics_forbidden_to_be_exhibited_abroad#Third_batch_(2013) ↩︎