Humboldt Forum

Please note: From Monday, 5 May up to and including Wednesday, 7 May and from Monday, 12 May up to and including Friday, 16 May 2025, the exhibition areas of the Ethnologisches Museum on the 2nd floor of the Humboldt Forum will be closed due to maintenance work. The exhibition areas will be open from Thursday, 8 May up to and including Sunday, 11 May 2025.

Humboldt Forum

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Signed Shen Zhou (1427 – 1509), Crossing the river in wind and rain, detail of a handscroll, Qing dynasty (1644 – 1911), 19th c. ?
Signed Shen Zhou (1427 – 1509), Crossing the river in wind and rain, detail of a handscroll, Qing dynasty (1644 – 1911), 19th c. ? Image credit: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst
Bronze mirror with motif of four standard script characters for shan (mountain), Eastern Zhou dynasty (770 to 256 BCE), Warring States Period (475 to 221 BC), bronze
Bronze mirror with motif of four standard script characters for shan (mountain), Eastern Zhou dynasty (770 to 256 BCE), Warring States Period (475 to 221 BC), bronze © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst
Unidentified artist, Ink stones from the Song dynasty, detail of a hanging scroll, Qing dynasty (1644 – 1911), 19th c., later reproduction
Unidentified artist, Ink stones from the Song dynasty, detail of a hanging scroll, Qing dynasty (1644 – 1911), 19th c., later reproduction Image credit: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst
Sun Mingqiu (1823 – 1903?), Eight Brokens (ba po tu), four hanging scrolls, Qing dynasty (1644 – 1911)
Sun Mingqiu (1823 – 1903?), Eight Brokens (ba po tu), four hanging scrolls, Qing dynasty (1644 – 1911) Image credit: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst
Nie Chongyi (10. Jh.), Xin ding Sanli tu (Newly compiled collection of illustrations of the Three Ritual Classics), Qing dynasty (1644 – 1911), Kangxi era, 1676
Nie Chongyi (10. Jh.), Xin ding Sanli tu (Newly compiled collection of illustrations of the Three Ritual Classics), Qing dynasty (1644 – 1911), Kangxi era, 1676 © Staatsbibliothek Berlin, Ostasienabteilung
Yan xiao shi (Concise history of inkstones), Zhu Eryun (19th c.), first published in the Jiaqing era (1796 – 1820), modern reprint, Taipei 1935
Yan xiao shi (Concise history of inkstones), Zhu Eryun (19th c.), first published in the Jiaqing era (1796 – 1820), modern reprint, Taipei 1935 Image credit: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst
Ritual vessel, fu type, Eastern Zhou dynasty (771 to 256 BC), Spring and Autumn period (770 to 476 BC), bronze
Ritual vessel, fu type, Eastern Zhou dynasty (771 to 256 BC), Spring and Autumn period (770 to 476 BC), bronze © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst
Yizhengtang chongxiu Kaogu tu (Illustrated Antiques, Yizhengtang edition), Lü Dalin (ca. 1042 – ca. 1090), first published in the renshen year of the Qianlong era (1752), modern reprint, 1991
Yizhengtang chongxiu Kaogu tu (Illustrated Antiques, Yizhengtang edition), Lü Dalin (ca. 1042 – ca. 1090), first published in the renshen year of the Qianlong era (1752), modern reprint, 1991 Image credit: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst, Ostasiatische Kunst Bibliothek
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Jinshixue: The Study of Ancient Artifacts and the Material Residues of the Past, Part 2

12.03.2025 to 15.09.2025
Humboldt Forum

Jinshixue, literally ‘the study of metal and stone’ was initiated by scholars of the Song dynasty (960 – 1279). This presentation illustrates its importance and impact of jinshixue on Chinese art. It included the study of inscriptions on bronze vessels and stone steles, combined calligraphy and painting, the collection of ancient artifacts, including ritual bronzes, bronze mirrors, as well as philological and historical research.

Song scholars developed some rigorous methods of unearthing, studying, and cataloguing ancient artifacts. In the Qing dynasty (1644 – 1911), antiquarianism experienced a revival. By focusing on collection practices, production, appreciation and documentation of cultural relics and visual culture, they not only generated knowledge about the past, but also about the world around them. 

Curator

The exhibition is curated by Birgitta Augustin.

A temporary presentation by the Museum für Asiatische Kunst of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin in the Humboldt Forum, Room 319, “Artists and Connoisseurs”

Zhao Zhiqian (1829 – 1884), Calligraphy, Qing dynasty (1644 – 1911), dated 1865, folding fan
© Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst

Humboldt Forum
Jinshixue: The Study of Ancient Artifacts and the Material Residues of the Past, Part 1

18.09.2024 to 10.03.2025

Schlossplatz
10178 Berlin

wheelchair accessible

U-Bahn: Friedrichstraße
S-Bahn: Friedrichstraße, Hackescher Markt
Tram: Am Kupfergraben, Hackescher Markt
Bus: Staatsoper, Lustgarten, Friedrichstraße

Low-carbon public transport connections
Local traffic
Long distance

Sun 10:30 - 18:30
Mon 10:30 - 18:30
Tue closed
Wed 10:30 - 18:30
Thu 10:30 - 18:30
Fri 10:30 - 18:30
Sat 10:30 - 18:30

Special opening hours during public holidays