Date：2021-02-02 - 2021-03-07
Location：Shanghai Museum Hall & Galleries

2021 is the Year of the Ox, or Xin Chou Year according to the Chinese lunar calendar. To celebrate the start of the new year, the Shanghai Museum, for the first time, situates the Chinese zodiac traditions in the Han cultural sphere of East Asia and co-hosts a cross-border exchange exhibition with the National Museum of Korea. Audience of two countries can now enjoy the artworks with zodiacal ox characteristics.

Throughout the history of Chinese and Korean civilisations, oxen or ox-like beings had appeared as totems, sacrificial offerings, daily sustenance, means of transport and draft animals for assisting agrarian work. As their multiple roles evolved with the times, the bovid creatures were often associated with concepts such as assiduity, responsibility, strength, reclusive life, etc. Two out of the four exhibits in the main hall come from the National Museum of Korea: a silver-inlaid iron brazier and a Goryeo celadon jar; the other two are presented by the Shanghai Museum: a bronze wine vessel Gong and a five-colour ceramic bowl crafted in the Kangxi reign. Notably, two important ox-related topics in ancient societies — rituals and farming ­— are approached from different perspectives. Besides, there are a few artifacts specially selected for the Year of the Ox in the Painting Gallery, Seal Gallery and Jade Gallery. We invite you to explore the unique character and sparkle of each one. 

At this very moment, the National Museum of Korea is also displaying two ox-themed works of art contributed by the Shanghai Museum. Just as the famous Korean poem goes: "we are devoted to each other like the jade jar reflecting a cold moon", we pledge our friends in Korea with this joint exhibition on the zodiacal ox that symbolises diligence, amicability and perseverance in both cultures.

Each person is remarkable. We dedicate this exhibition to all the trailblazers and hard-working people in the Xin Chou "niu" year.

Ritual Wine Vessel (Gong) with Phoenix Design

Jingdezhen Wucai Porcelain Bowl with a Picture of Tilling and Weaving

Herd Boy and Water Buffalo

Stone seal with the white legend ding chou jinshi

Wood seal with the white legend ding chou jinshi

Ning Qi Feeding Cattle, album sheet

Two Buffaloes under Willow Trees

Iron Square Brazier with Silver-inlaid Design

Celadon Jar with Inlaid Ox Design