Unearthed Musical Masterpieces from the Southern Kingdoms of Ancient China at the Musical Instrument Museum
Unearthed Musical Masterpieces from the Southern Kingdoms of Ancient China
November 6, 2026 — September 5, 2027
On November 6, 2026, the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) opens Unearthed Musical Masterpieces from the Southern Kingdoms of Ancient China, a special exhibition presenting an unprecedented collection of more than 70 musical instruments and associated objects excavated from archaeological sites more than two thousand years old. Organized by MIM and the Hubei Provincial Museum under the guidance of the National Cultural Heritage Administration of China, the landmark exhibition features more than 40 ancient Chinese artifacts on display for the first time in the United States and includes 10 Grade One National Cultural Relics—China’s highest designation for national treasures—rarely seen outside of China.
“These objects were among the finest treasures buried with rulers and nobility,” says Eddie Chia-Hao Hsu, MIM’s curator for Asia and Oceania. “They are extraordinary expressions of the technical mastery and artistic imagination of the artisans who created them, reflecting the remarkable musical achievements of the southern kingdoms of ancient China.”
For millennia, these rare and magnificent instruments were entombed with nobility—and forgotten by history. Their rediscovery brought to light some of the most sophisticated artistic traditions of the ancient world. Unearthed Musical Masterpieces invites guests into a richly preserved musical world revealed through stunning archaeological discoveries and traces the development of musical culture in ancient China from the Neolithic period to the pinnacle of court music, represented by the exceptional musical legacy of the Zeng and Chu states.
“As visitors move through the exhibition, they will have the opportunity to view this diverse collection of excavated musical instruments up close, appreciating their rich variety, exquisite craftsmanship, ornate decoration, and distinctive forms,” says Zeng Pan, director of the exhibition department at the Hubei Provincial Museum. “Through these extraordinary objects, the exhibition offers insight into the distinctive character and enduring spirit of Chinese ritual and musical civilization.”
Exhibition highlights include:
Bo bell of Marquis Qiu of Zeng, c. 650 BCE. This magnificent bo is the largest bell in the largest known set of bells from the Spring and Autumn period. It was excavated from the tomb of Marquis Qiu of Zeng, and it features an inscription of 188 legible characters.
Loan courtesy of the Suizhou MuseumYong bell of Marquis Yu of Zeng, c. 550–476 BCE. This monumental bronze yong is the largest of eight bells found in the tomb of Marquis Yu of Zeng. It is embellished with intricate coiled serpent motifs and a high-relief dragon design, and it features a 169-character inscription tracing the origins of the state of Zeng.
Loan courtesy of the Suizhou MuseumPainted xuangu drum with a pedestal design of phoenixes on tigers’ backs,
c. 400–300 BCE. This standing drum, supported on a pedestal formed by two phoenixes standing on the backs of two tigers, is one of the most iconic Chu instruments. It is one of the few surviving drums of its kind to retain its finely painted red and black geometric patterns.
Loan courtesy of the Xiangyang MuseumBronze chime in animal form, c. 1300–1100 BCE. Most chimes were carved from stone; bronze examples are exceptionally rare, and only a handful survive. This remarkable specimen is said to produce multiple distinct tones, revealing the extraordinary acoustic sophistication of this early instrument.
Loan courtesy of the Changyang MuseumStone chime with phoenix pattern, c. 475–221 BCE. This painted stone chime is part of one of the most ornate stone chime sets ever discovered. Though much of the color has faded over time, some of the chime’s striking Chu-style painting of phoenixes is
still visible.
Loan courtesy of the Hubei Provincial Museum
The exhibition also features refined objects—such as ceramic and stone artifacts depicting musicians with instruments, a suit of armor and helmet, a bronze sword, and jade pendants—that illuminate the broader cultural and aesthetic contexts these instruments were developed in. Audiovisual content provided by the Hubei Provincial Museum includes archaeological excavation footage and contemporary performance videos that bring the musical traditions of China’s ancient southern kingdoms to life.
