China News Service, Paris, January 30 (Reporter Li Yang) The Palace of Versailles in France held a press conference on the 29th local time to introduce to reporters the details of the activities in China marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France.
The much-anticipated exhibition "Versailles and the Forbidden City: Sino-French Exchanges in the 17th and 18th Centuries" will be on display at the Palace Museum from April 1 to June 30. The exhibition selects exquisite cultural relics collected by the Palace of Versailles and the Palace Museum.
Marie-Laure de Rochebrune, co-curator of the exhibition and head of the Cultural Relics Department of the Palace of Versailles, led reporters on the 29th to view the exquisite cultural relics of the Palace of Versailles that will be displayed in the exhibition, including the Siamese Envoy in 1686 A Chinese-style kettle dedicated to Louis XIV - "a kettle carved in silver with flower and bird patterns and partly gilded".
Derochebrune specially took out this work of art from the safe to show reporters: the unique silver pot body is engraved with exquisite flowers. She also made a point of displaying the royal emblem on the bottom of the pot. The Chinese utensils presented by the Siamese envoy at that time were Louis XIV's favorite items. According to reports, the original place where this cultural relic was placed in the Palace of Versailles was where Louis XIV received the Siamese envoys.
Many pieces of Chinese porcelain collected by the Palace of Versailles will be displayed in the exhibition, reflecting the porcelain art taste of the French royal family in the 17th and 18th centuries. Among them, the most representative of the combination of Chinese and Western elements is Louis XV's "perfume tap". This artifact was featured on the Palace of Versailles' promotional poster for the exhibition. In addition, a group of Louis XV porcelains produced during the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty in China will be on display. This group of porcelains are all printed with the royal emblem. The Chinese style paintings customized by Marie Leszczyńska, Queen of Louis XV, for her “China Hall” will also be one of the exhibits.
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House of Versailles will go to China for the first time in April and perform in multiple cities. This is a supporting activity for "Versailles and the Forbidden City: Sino-French Exchanges in the 17th and 18th Centuries." Bruner, performance director of the Palace of Versailles, briefed reporters on the preparations for the performance. Orchestra conductor Plugnac also met with reporters. (over)