The Maritime Silk Route from the 13th to the 17th century

The Silk Road is perhaps the oldest and most important commercial network to develop in history. It’s 8,000 kilometres stretch across Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia. Equally as relevant is its maritime equivalent, which connected Canton and other Chinese ports with Europe by sea. The exhibition is curated by Wei Jun, Director of the Guangdong Provincial Museum, and presents over 100 objects from the Song dynasty (960 - 1279) to the late Ming era (1368 - 1644). Four thematic sections - “The Silk Road”, “The Spice Route and Ceramic Route”, “The Path of Religions” and “The Path of Cultures” - guide visitors through the exhibit. Alongside ancient artifacts (including porcelain, jewellery, silk, spices, paintings and everyday objects in carved stone, metal or wood), the latter bear witness to the vitality of trade, cultural and technological exchanges between East and West.