Hong Kong tycoon gifted ancient Silk Road map to the largest museum of China
Hong Kong tycoon Hui Wing-mau bought an ancient map of the Great Silk Road from one of the private Chinese collectors. The unique purchase cost him 133 million yuan (over US $ 20 million). However, he believes the value of this artifact far exceeds its cost.
On Thursday, Hui Wing-mau officially handed over the Landscape Map of the Silk Road to the Palace Museum in Beijing. Thus, the treasury of the world-famous museum, which has more than 1.8 million exhibits, was added one more relic.
The impressive colorful panoramic map is a 30-meter long silk scroll with a width of 59 centimeters. It dates from the 16th century - the era of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
The map depicts the key points of the great trade and cultural artery, stretching from the Chinese city of Jiayuguang to Saudi Mecca - 221 ancient settlements, territories of 10 countries and several regions, including Iran, Afghanistan, the countries of modern Central Asia - Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan.
However, Lin Meicun, a history professor from Peking University, after studying archives, said that the one-fourth of the original map, illustrating the Silk Road segment from Mecca to Turkish Istanbul, was lost. “Maybe that part was cut off by the antique dealer to sell separately,” he added.
In 1930s, the map, purchased in one of the antique stores, was displayed in the Yurinkan Museum in Kyodo, Japan. In 2002, it was bought by a private collector from China, who kept it until a recent deal with Mr. Hui.
“It's a contribution of ancient Chinese geography to the whole world,” said Shan Jixiang, director of the Palace Museum, calling the map the historical precursor of the Chinese "Belt and Road" initiative.
Shan also told on the planned archaeological, geographic and linguistic studies using the map materials. After carrying out restoration works, this masterpiece of antique cartography will be available to the public.
