World Culture Galleries
Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Gallery of China
Level 1, Philosophers’ Walk Wing
This spacious new gallery showcases the ROM's outstanding Chinese collection, ranked among the best outside China. Admire approximately 2,500 exceptional objects spanning almost 7,000 years of Chinese history, ranging from beautifully painted Prehistoric ceramic jars to elaborate 18th-century AD furniture.
The T.T. Tsui Exhibit of Prehistory and Bronze Age traces nearly 6,000 years of Chinese history. The section explores the transition from early hunting and gathering societies to sedentary farming and the themes of daily life. Bronze vessels (c. 2000 BC), early examples of jade, bronze fittings for chariots and horse gear, and the development of writing, illustrate this time period.
The next section on the Qin and Han Dynasties (221 BC - AD 220) focuses on the unification of China’s many independent states and the spread of Han culture. This section explores themes of burial beliefs, status and luxury, architecture, farming, and household items. On display are bronze objects, ceramics, jade discs and burial items.
The Michael C.K. Lo Exhibition of North, South, Sui and Tang explores the political and economic divisions that dominated China from the 3rd to the 6th centuries and resulted in rich cultural diversification. China was unified again and Tang rule (AD 618 - 907) became the Golden Age of Chinese culture. On display are tomb figures, Buddhist sculptures and luxury objects in gold, jade, glass, silver and bronze.
The Song, Yuan and Frontier Dynasties (AD 907 - 1368) saw struggle and cultural interaction between the northern and southern regions of China, the development of Neo-Confucianist philosophy, and the growth of commerce. The section focuses on daily life during the Song Dynasty and features everyday ceramics and household objects such as head rests, small dolls, lamps, bowls, bottles and storage jars.
The final section explores the Ming and Qing Dynasties (AD 1368 - 1912) and the many luxury objects that were produced mainly for the court, scholars, and wealthy households of the time. The materials used reveal the versatility and creativity of the artisans of the period. Also on display are beautiful pieces of furniture and fine examples of silk robes, paintings and calligraphy.
The Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Gallery of China is one of four galleries featuring Chinese art and archaeology. The expanded and redesigned Chinese galleries also include the Bishop White Gallery of Chinese Temple Art, the Matthews Family Court of Chinese Sculpture, and the ROM Gallery of Chinese Architecture.
View of Tanenbaum Gallery of China.
Ding food vessel (bronze), 1299 - 1100 BC.
Earthenware polo player burial figure, AD 695 - 714. 
