Beihai Park Panorama

Palace Decoration

A gift for the Soviet people on the occasion of the 40th anniversary

of the October Revolution from the governmental party delegation

of the People's Republic of China headed by the Chairman

of PRC Mao Zedong, 1957

The “royal style” table decoration just astonishes by its mere size. Its length is

183 centimetres! It is hard to believe but the complex, multi-figurine sculpture

is made out of a whole piece of ivory! The priceless state gift by the Chinese

leader Mao Zedong was presented to the Soviet Secretary General Nikita

Khrushev during the official state visit of the delegation of the government of

the People's Republic of China to Moscow.

Chinese Imperial Beihai Park

The minutely carved panorama reproduces one of the magnificent imperial

parks situated near the Forbidden City in Beijing, Beihai Park. The park is

situated by the lake with the same name and is a treasure of Chinese gardening

with the history of more than 1000 years. Translated from Chinese, “Beihai”

means “Northern Sea.” The carving artist succeeded in reproducing in ivory the

beauty of the park landscapes, imperial palaces and holy temples.

Notably, the imperial parks became accessible only after the

Chinese revolution (1911-1912). Beihai Park was opened

in 1925 and it immediately became the

place of choice for Beijing residents.

Among many of the magnificent pavilions, terraces

and buildings, the artist also placed the

figures of thousands of people, engaged in

various activities or just taking a stroll in

the garden. Despite the fact that the size of

the figurines is measured in millimetres,

we can still see the people's faces clearly.

This complex piece of art was created in Beijing

by a group of carvers under the lead of the

outstanding master, Yang Shi-Hui, in 1957. This artwork

attracted a lot of expert attention, with in-progress

images featured in art journals even

during the start of the ivory crafting.

Collection custodian:

“Master Yang Shi-hui learnt bone

carving from the age of twelve and

easily mastered the traditional

methods of carving. Later he founded

the style of the Yang bone-carving

school. This style is distinguished

by delicate carving of the smallest

details of the composition,

astonishing in their virtuosity.”

reference

The magnificent Beihai Park is also widely known

for its White Pagoda, a Buddhist tower in the Tibetan

style standing tall on the hill. The White Pagoda was erected

pearl of the park, can be seen from many spots in Beijing.

The White Pagoda is a tomb for monks, housing holy

Buddhist sculptures, writings, and dresses of the Lamas

White Pagoda

that master Yang Shi-Hui placed in the middle of his

composition, thus highlighting its role and significance.