In the flow of time: Clockwork treasures of China's Forbidden City exhibited in Britain

With the clock ticking until the Chinese New Year rings in and the Year of the Dragon begins, an exhibition of clockworks from the Forbidden City at the heart of Beijing has opened at the British Science Museum in London.

A total of 23 pieces of clockworks are on display for four months in South Kensington starting on Thursday (February 1). The clockworks, selected from a total of 1,600 pieces from the collections of the Forbidden City, now known as the Palace Museum, date from the 18th century to the early 20th century.

Known in Chinese as Zimingzhong, or striking clocks, they feature luxurious decoration, exquisite designing and complex functionality.

The first Zimingzhong was brought into the Chinese court by Italian missionary Matteo Ricci as a gift for Emperor Wanli of the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644). Later, they were loved and collected by the emperors of the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1912). Most of the clocks were either gifts from foreign missions and organizations as gifts for the Qing court, or manufactured by local craftsmen in Beijing or Guangzhou at the request of the Qing emperors.

Clocks from European countries including Britain, France, Switzerland, Germany, as well as from the United States and Japan can all be found among the thousands of pieces, each featuring elements from their own cultures.

One of the British clocks, which depicts a crane carrying a pavilion, is an artistic work by James Cox, a famous automata and mechanical clock maker. It is the first time the piece returned to Britain for an exhibition for 300 years when it was produced and sent to China as a gift.

A grand opening ceremony was held on Thursday evening, attended by Chinese ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang, deputy director Zhu Hongwen of the Palace Museum, chair of trustees of the Science Museum Group Sir Timothy Laurence, and CEO of the Science Museum Group Sir Ian Blatchford.

The Science Museum has been in discussion with the Palace Museum to arrange the exhibition since 2018. The 23 clockworks are not only on display in Britain for the first time, but are rarely seen at the regular exhibitions of the Palace Museum as well.

While delivering a speech to the opening ceremony, the Chinese ambassador expressed appreciation for the persistent efforts from both sides in making the exhibition happen.  Zheng Zeguang said China and the UK, as two countries with long cultural and technological histories, have both made great contributions to the progress of the civilization. The exchanges since hundreds of years ago have enhanced mutual understanding between the two peoples.

"Exchange and mutual learning among the civilizations is an important factor for the progress of human society," said Zheng. "Both China and Britain have a splendid history of science and culture, and both have made great contribution to human progress. The scientific and cultural exchange between the two countries also go back a long time. Both sides have benefited tremendously from such exchanges and cooperation, in terms of enhancing knowledge and boosting scientific and cultural development in our countries and beyond."

"The clock stories also reveals the little known trade and cultural exchanges between China and Britain in the 18th century," said Laurence, adding that it is a reminder that even in the uneasy times, scientists and artists can still work together to build bridges for the future.

While speaking to CGTN, Laurence mentioned that it is a small exhibition that demonstrate the links between Britain and China. "I'm so pleased that both the Palace Museum in China and the Science Museum in Britain were able to stick to it and finally get the exhibition together," he said.

"It's good that we can continue the good tradition of institutions of sharing ideas and exhibitions together, hopefully in the long run for the benefit of humanity," said Laurence.

The opening ceremony was also celebrated with lion and dragon dances, marking the upcoming Year of the Dragon.

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