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Thursday, July 17, 2008, 17:19
Guardians to the King is a stunning display of 43 figures which are on display for the first time in the UK, marking a fantastic opportunity for culture vultures in Essex to see this exceptional collection.
The exhibition is one of the highlights of the Essex-Jiangsu Festival, a celebration of the links between the county and the Chinese province that was launched last month.
The figures, all between 1ft and 2ft tall, represent soldiers, officials, dancers, musicians and cavalry horses and have been excavated in the last 25 years from a series of royal tombs discovered at Zuzhou, which belonged to the Kings of Chu.
The figures are from the same tradition as the terracotta warriors from Xian displayed at the British Musuem.
The figures at Colchester Castle Museum have been loaned by Xuzhou Museum in Jiangsu as part of a unique partnership with the Essex attraction which will mean the two will exchange antiquities.
Each figure was carefully packed and had to be delicately handled by experts when being moved.
They will be placed in groups in special display cabinets which ensure a constant temperature and humidity.
Jeremy Lucas, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Heritage, Culture and the Arts, was present as the display was set up and said: “It is wonderful to see these exquisite figures here in Colchester and to have a unique glimpse at them being handled and delicately placed on display.
“This is a real coup for Essex and for Colchester and I am very proud to see the fantastic work going on here today.”
The Guardians to the King opens to the public tomorrow (Saturday, July 19) at 10am.
To find out more about the exhibition and other events in the festival go to www.essex-china.org
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DELICATE HANDLING: Bob Entwistle of Colchester Castle Museum places a terracotta figure inside a temperature-controlled display cabinet.
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