On the evening of February 11, 2004, Mr. Shu Xiao, Cultural Counselor of the Consulate General of PR.China in New York, attended the preview reception for the Exhibition of Imperial Jewelry of the Ming Dynasty at the invitation of the China Institute in America.

From February 12 till June 5, 126 pieces of jewelry from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) will be exhibited for the first time outside China. These unearthed jewelry made of jade, gold, silver and precious stones vividly bring back to the audience their glamour within traditional Chinese costume and the refined craftsmanship of the time. Proud of the the Exhibition of 17thCentury Chinese Landscape Paintings in last fall which was highly praised by the New York Times, Ms. Willow Hai Chang, Gallery Director of the China Institute in America, expressed strong confidence in harvesting another success.

Mr. Bai Ning, Director of Nanjing Municipal Museum and representative of China's State Administration of Cultural Heritage were also present at the preview reception last night.

(Left: Jade belt plague with cloud&dragon design, set in gold  A.D 1371     Right: Lotus-shaped gold crown ornament A.D 1368-1644)