Two thousand years ago, China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, commissioned a massive mausoleum in an attempt to conquer death. The mausoleum, spanning 49 square kilometers, was guarded by an army of clay warriors, created to protect the emperor’s tomb for eternity.
In 1974, farmers in Xi’an stumbled upon the first clay warrior’s head, opening up one of the greatest archaeological mysteries in history. Over the past 50 years, more than 8,000 Terracotta Warriors have been discovered. Now, fragments of this dream of immortality are being showcased in Perth, Australia, where the largest exhibition of the Terracotta Warriors ever held in the country will take place later this year.
Opening on June 28 at the Western Australia Museum Boola Bardip, “Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor” promises not only a glimpse into ancient China but also a comprehensive journey through its foundations, featuring over 225 artifacts, many of which have never left China.
Seventy percent of these objects have never been to Australia before, and 40% have never left China, making this exhibition incredibly significant. Some of the highlights include 10 lifesize clay soldiers, meticulously crafted from separate parts, with each warrior sporting a uniquely modeled face.
The exhibition also tells the story of China’s first emperor and the world he sought to recreate in death. Visitors can expect to see bronze vessels, ancient chariots, gilded belt hooks, painted cavalry figures, and rare gold ornaments, along with immersive installations that reimagine the emperor’s tomb.
The emperor’s tomb remains sealed to this day, its secrets still hidden beneath a great earthen pyramid. Ancient historians described a vast underground kingdom with rivers of mercury and deadly booby traps.
Among the highlights of the exhibition is a bronze swan cast using the ancient lost-wax method, discovered near a pleasure garden meant for the emperor’s afterlife. Each warrior is sculpted with a unique face, capturing the individuality of a living army.
The exhibition will also present Qin’s reign within a larger historical context, spanning from the turbulent Warring States period to the rise of the Han dynasty, which lasted for centuries. It will serve as a reminder of the enduring power of cultural diplomacy.
The CEO of WA Museum Boola Bardip, Alec Coles, hopes visitors will experience the same wonder and appreciation for what Qin Shi Huang created not just for China, but for human history.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/apr/29/terracotta-warriors-perth-australia-wa-museum-exhibition
