The First Emperor: China's Entomed Warriors

 

A Terracotta warrior

The terracotta warriors are in Sydney – well, ten warriors and horses to be precise, and if you’ve never seen one up close, here’s a rare opportunity. The exhibition is titled The First Emperor: China's Entomed Warriors. Now on at the NSW Art Gallery, it began on 2 December 2010 and will run till 13 March 2011.

It’s a surreal experience – to be standing so close to such a precious piece of history. The colours that adorned their features have faded away over the centuries, but the dignity of their expressions, the life-like features and the detailed work on each unique individual soldier make the Terracotta Army one of the most captivating sights ever to be seen.

The Terracotta Army is the result of the grand vision of the First Emperor Qin Shihuang, who desired a tomb to mirror his palatial life, in which he would be well provided for and his rule carried on for eternity. The Army, which numbers more than 7,000 and depicts the actual army of the emperor, protects the entrance to the spirit road leading to the burial.

Who was the First Emperor and why was he able to command such eternal presence and protection? Qin Shihuang was born in 259 BCE, and reigned as King over the State of Qin from 221 to 210 BCE. During this time, he was able to unite all seven of the Warring States to create the Qin dynasty. Thus the first ruling dynasty of imperial China was born.

A brutal ruler or a heroic revolutionary that united China? Debate varies as to what the rule of Qin Shihuang was like, but his achievements deserve their own merit. He abolished the old feudal system; created an administrative system; unified the code of laws; standardised the script, measures and currency; built highways; and initiated projects such as the final construction of the Great Wall. His final triumph was his own mausoleum – and what a wondrous statement it is.

The warriors stand alert, guarding their emperor from danger in the afterlife

The vastness of the plans for Qin Shihuang’s tomb was such that work began on it as soon as he became emperor. It is believed it took more than 700,000 people and 38 years to complete this complex and stunning architectural marvel. When the emperor passed away, work on the burial was far from over. A large number of workers and craftsmen were thus entombed alive to see the work to its end. The fact that the excavation is still ongoing is another reminder of the immensity of the burial – only 25% of the army has been discovered so far, and the emperor’s tomb is yet to be uncovered.

The exhibition contains over 120 objects from the Fist Emperor’s mausoleum in the province of Xi’an in central China. There are bronze ritual and jade artefacts, gold and silver ornaments, palatial architectural components, and of course ten of the soldiers and horses. Be a part of this exceptional experience to come face to face with these legendary warriors. The 2200-year-old history, the wonderment at the ambitions of an emperor and the skills of long-gone artisans will surely touch your spirit.

The NSW Art Gallery has arranged a series of events to make your experience more interactive and fun. These include a film series depicting the adventures of ancient China, a programme of celebrity talks and performances, and holiday activities for kids. For more information, advance ticket bookings and travel packages, log on to www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au

Above: 2.8cm Pushou ring-holder made of gold and jade, Below: 14cm Tiger made of silver