FOLLOWING the Taipei Palace Museum’s example, fun Beijing Palace Museum products have been drawing fans online.

    A design that combines earphones with an imperial court necklace was posted on Sina Weibo via an account with 1.89 million followers last week and was subsequently reposted nearly 20,000 times.

    Beaded earphones, imperial robe T-shirts and sword stationery — these are just a few of the latest and “fashionable” items offered by the Palace Museum. Ranging from 10 yuan (US$1.63) to nearly 1,000 yuan, these palace-inspired items are sold on Taobao, China’s largest online shopping website founded by Chinese entrepreneur Jack Ma. The much-talked about beaded earphones, an item that mimics the beads worn by officials in the past, sell for 120 yuan (US$19.61).

    The Palace Museum’s online store, Gugongtaobao, opened in 2008. It now features an academic creation team to bring ancient culture to life.

    A fan with the words “Zhen jiushi zheyang hanzi” (I am what I am, a tough and unyielding emperor) inscribed on it has become a hit among young buyers. A cultural service center staff member at the museum said the words are a copy of authentic calligraphy written by Emperor Yongzheng (1678-1735).

    The staff member denied the idea was plagiarized from the Taipei Palace Museum’s popular adhesive tape that features the words “zhen zhidao le” (I, the emperor, know it”). The team “has been working on these for eight years,” he added.

    Designer Tang Shenghan, who designed items for both palace museums, said it is natural to compare the products. “I think this kind of comparison is inevitable. I don’t think borrowing ideas in this fashion poses a big problem.”

    From a design and creative point of view, Tang said the Palace Museum in Beijing needs to introduce landmark products that represent the Forbidden City.

    “I think they have somewhat lost their track. The biggest impact the Palace Museum in Beijing has on visitors is its magnificent architecture. But it is difficult to point out one item that represents the palace the most. That’s what they need to work on.”

    The Palace Museum is making strides to change its solemn and dull image with fun and cute products. In August, it released a group of nine flash animations of Emperor Yongzheng accompanied by illustrations.(SD-Agencies)