Shanghai Museum, a seven story modern edifice and a cultural landmark on People’s Square across from the City Hall was opened to the public in October in 1996.The building, which stands at the historic heart of the city ,is a work of art itself.Its shape is modeled on a giant Chinese bronze bowl,with a round section symbolizing heaen and a square block representing earth,implying the Chinese traditional expression of “ a round heaven and a square earth”The exterior is clad in Spanich granite.The light gray structure has a square base topped by a circular foof supported by four decorative arches,an imitation of ancient Chinese bronze ware called Ding,an ancient Chinese cooking vessel,later used as a symbol for peace.
Inside the building,120,000 items of cultural relics are on display in its 11 galleries.The exhibits are divided in to over twenty categories,including bronze ware,pottery and porcelain ware,ceramics,calligraphy,paintings,jade and ivory ware,bamboo,wood and lacquer ware inscribed bones and tortoise shells seals,coins and handicrafts of minority nationalities among them---many of which are masterpieces.
Shanghai Museum was designed by a chief arhitec from Shanghai Institute of Architectural Design and Research,the building,basically ,consists of nine halls:
In the solem 1200—square—meter Hall of Chinese Ancient Bronze ware diplays over 400 items of exquisite bronze ware.
In the 640—square—meter Hall of Chinese Ancient Sculpture,over 120 items of sculptural works are showcased.
The exhibits in the Hall of Chinese Ancient Sculpture express the features of creation of the past dynasties from the period of the warring States to the Ming Dynasty.
In the 1300—square—meter Hall of Chinese Ancient Pottery and Porcelain over 500 items of pottery and porcelain are displayed..
The 500 –square---meter Hall of Chinese Calligraphy of Past Dynasties house over 100 items of calligraphy masterpieces.
The 1100—square ---meter Hall of Chinese Ancient Paintings display more than 140 masterpieces of the past dynasties.
Covering an area of 380 square meters, the Hall of Chiense seals of Past Dynasties showcase over 500 pieces of ancient seal cuttings.
Shanghai Museum had enjoyed a high reputation in China’s coin collection and study circle.The 730—Square—meter Hall of Chinese Coins of Past Dynasties shows to isitors the history of how Chinese coins came into being and eeloped form the bronze conins to he gold ,silver,copper,iron and other metal coins,and paper currencies.
Jade had been regarded by the Chinese as omen of fortune and highly valued sine anient time..In the 500—square—meter Hall of Ancient Jade ware,there are displayed over 400 items of valuable jade collections from Neolithic Age to the Qing Dynasty.
