From the 2nd of October, 2026, Liang Yi Museum invites visitors to venture beyond the palace gates with Furnishing the Forbidden: Throne, Study and Bedchamber. Featuring 90 Qing dynasty (1644–1912) imperial treasures, this immersive exhibition skips dry timeline lectures and instead brings history to life through recreations of imperial living spaces. Here, visitors explore the hidden power, intellect, and personal lives of the Forbidden City’s elite through the eyes of three distinctive figures: The Emperor, The Scholar and The Consort.
I. The Emperor
The journey begins in the Emperor Qianlong’s legendary zaobanchu (Imperial Workshops), where master joiners, lacquer experts, and inlay artisans joined forces to create masterpieces fit for a ruler. Stepping past pure artistry, visitors enter the emperor’s private world—with intricate personal shrines, refined music stands, and leisurely game tables built for moments of reflection, alongside clever, folding furniture specifically for imperial hunting expeditions.
II. The Scholar
Next, step inside the peaceful, contemplative study of the scholar-official—the intellectual foundation of the court. Admire majestic book chests, inscribed table screens, writing tools and calligraphic panels designed to inspire deep thought, artistic focus, and statecraft.
III. The Consort
Finally, enter the secluded bedchamber of the Qing consorts, a lesser-known group defined by subtle grandeur, personal ritual, and refined taste. Discover exquisite mirror stands, cosmetic chests, and intimate luxury items that offer a rare glimpse into the lives, status, and quiet influence of palace women; and uncover hidden narratives of female agency in a male-dominated setting.
Curatorial Vision: Traces of a Hidden World
“When an object is locked in a display case, its secrets stay locked with it. But when you rebuild the space around it, the past truly starts reverberating. We want visitors to catch the private rhythm of life beyond the public throne, the quiet ambition of a scholar late at night, or the unequivocal musings of a consort at her dressing table. It’s a rare, almost vulnerable portrait of the humanity behind the empire.” states Janine Hua, Curatorial Coordinator of Liang Yi Museum.
For more information please visit the Liang Yi Museum website.
Tagged 10/09.