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Visitors admire the exhibits during an exhibition for celebrating the 500th anniversary of Xiang Yuanbian's birth in Jiaxing. [Photo/WeChat account: jxfabu]

The Special Exhibition Commemorating the 500th Anniversary of Xiang Yuanbian's Birth opened on June 30 at the Jiaxing Museum in Jiaxing, East China's Zhejiang province.

Jointly curated by the Jiaxing Museum, Tianjin Museum, and 15 other cultural institutions, the exhibition features 50 precious historical artifacts and 55 contemporary tribute pieces, including five classified as first grade cultural relics and 22 as second grade.

Xiang Yuanbian, a notable collector from the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) and native of Jiaxing, is regarded as "the greatest private collector in Chinese history". 

His renowned Tianlai Pavilion once held over 1,400 artworks by more than 460 historical artists, ranging from Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317–420) to Shen Zhou, Wen Zhengming, Tang Yin, and Qiu Ying of the Ming Dynasty.

The exhibition is organized into four sections, featuring a total of 105 exhibits. Highlights include the imperial edict scroll of Emperor Xiaozong from the Song Dynasty (960–1279), a nearly 1,000-year-old artifact on loan from the Sichuan Museum, and a rare portrait of Xiang from the Shanghai Museum, which is the only known standard likeness.

These displays, alongside works by Ming Dynasty masters like Wen and Chen Chun, provide a deep insight into the cultural ecosystem surrounding the Tianlai Pavilion. 

The exhibition also features modern recreations and interpretations by contemporary artists, exploring Xiang's legacy from new perspectives.