THIS summer, people in Hong Kong can see up close treasures from museums in northwestern China’s Shaanxi Province. “Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Prosperity and Magnificence — Civilization of the Sui and Tang Dynasties in Shaanxi Province” has opened to the public at the Hong Kong Museum of History (HKMH). Admission is free.

The exhibition covers a wide-ranging history from Wei (220-265), Jin (265-420) and Southern and Northern (420-581) dynasties to Sui (581-618) and Tang (618-907) dynasties, with a focus on the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty in the historical context of the former dynasties.

On display are more than 120 sets of precious relics selected from 11 museums and cultural institutions in Shaanxi, of which 18 sets are grade-one national treasures and nearly half of which are making their debut in Hong Kong.

Three grade-one national treasures from the Tang Dynasty are on display in the city for the first time: a pure gold reliquary casket with a roof-curb-shaped lid unearthed from Famen Temple in Xi’an, a painted figurine of a female dancer with a double-looped bun discovered in Xianyang city, and a silver-gilt lotus-shaped incense tool uncovered from Hejia Village Hoard in Xi’an.

The dancer figurine reflects the standards of female beauty in the early to high Tang period, while the incense tool shows the extremely high level of gold and silver craftsmanship during that period, according to the curatorial teams from both sides, who spent nine months preparing for the exhibition.

Also on the must-see list are a beautiful white pottery dancing horse and stone reliefs of the Six Steeds of Zhaoling (replicas), which honor the six warhorses ridden by Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Shimin) during his campaigns, demonstrating exquisite sculpture craftsmanship from that time. They were discovered from the Zhaoling Mausoleum in Liquan county, Xianyang.

To mark the Year of the Horse, the exhibition presents equestrian culture-themed displays, including valuable Tang Dynasty artefacts related to polo, ceremonial horse performances, hunting, travel, cavalry and warhorses, which come in the forms of figurines, horse tack and ornaments.

Dates: Until Aug. 26

Venue: Moonchu Historical Images and Culture Gallery and 1/F Main Lobby, Hong Kong Museum of History (SD News)