On October 1, the Liaoning Provincial Museum proudly opened the exhibition “Splendor of the Hehuang Region – Qinghai Painted Pottery.”
Curator Ma Hui shared her insights on the exhibition, noting that the museum acquired nearly a hundred pieces of Qinghai painted pottery in the 1990s. Many of these artifacts were excavated from the Minhe and Ledu sites, dating back to the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. “These pieces not only enhance our collection but also provide invaluable references for understanding the development of painted pottery and the connections between different cultural types in China,” Ma explained.
The exhibition features 62 artifacts, organized to reflect the archaeological cultural progression of the Qinghai region. It is divided into four thematic sections: “Brilliant Elegance – Majiayao Culture,” “Subtle Ceramics – Qijia Culture,” “Classic Dual Hooks – Xindian Culture,” and “The Silence of Painted Pottery – Kayao Culture.” Each section highlights the evolving narratives and decorative motifs that illustrate the unique roles these cultures play in the broader tapestry of Chinese civilization.
Visitors can look forward to a variety of painted pottery designs, showcasing zigzag patterns, diamond shapes, and spirals. One particularly striking piece is a wave-patterned pottery basin from the Neolithic Majiayao culture, which is considered quite rare. “Majiayao types, primarily found at habitation sites rather than burial sites, are limited in number and thus hold significant value,” Ma noted.
The Gansu and Qinghai regions, located in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, are renowned for their wealth of Neolithic painted pottery. These artifacts exhibit a diverse range of shapes and designs that depict both the natural world and symbolic expressions of the spiritual realm. The intricate and dynamic patterns demonstrate strong aesthetic appeal and a sense of rhythmic flow.
Ma Hui emphasized that painted pottery serves as an important cultural symbol for the Chinese people, bridging cultural expressions across a vast region and helping to forge a collective identity in early Chinese civilization. She expressed her hope that this exhibition would help visitors appreciate the allure of Northwest painted pottery culture while also raising awareness about the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.
