There are more than 2,000 private museums in China. As the first private museum of classic and antique art, Guanfu Museum has been a home to cultural relics for 16 years. People come to see its 1,000 extraordinary pieces dating back to the late Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.In Beijing’s northeastern suburb, far out on the Fifth Ring Road, Guanfu Museum sits in Jinzhan, an inconspicuous township within the sprawling Chaoyang district.

Founded by renowned antique collector, critic and writer Ma Weidu in 1997, the first Guanfu Museum was housed in a small space in Liulichang, Beijing’s famous antique street. It has moved twice since before finally settling at its current address, a location chosen because of its generous space and cheap rental.Ma has named his museum after a word from the Taoist classic Tao Te Ching. “Guanfu” literally means “watch it again and again.”

The 6,000-square-meter museum is divided into several exhibition halls, including Pottery Hall, Furniture Hall, Oil Painting Hall, Art and Craft Hall and Door and Window Frame Hall. It is also a great destination for various types of seminars and exhibitions. There are branches of the museum in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province and Xiamen, Fujian province as well.

Pottery Hall

Most of the pottery exhibited here are within the reign of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) to the Qing Dynasty. Over 150 pieces of artifacts are displayed throughout the year, in which some of them are products of the five most significant pottery manufacturing sites throughout the years.

Furniture Hall

The whole exhibition area for Furniture Hall has been divided into six cubic areas for the display of different types of furniture. The furniture is basically grouped according to the type of wood that it was made from. On top of that, there is also a hall which was designed like an ancient study room. Over 200 pieces of Ming and Qing furniture are displayed here.

Oil Painting Hall

The paintings of modern Chinese artists like Chen Yifei, Yang Feiyun, Chen Yanning, Liu Wenjing and Luo Zhongli can all be found here. Besides that, there are also over 10 pieces of precious sculptures exhibited within the hall.

Art and Craft Hall

Divided into three halls, over 100 pieces of ancient art and craft works are dotted within the area. Lacquered furniture, cloisonné, ancient stationery and bronze tools can all be found.

Door and Window Frame Hall

Most of the door and window frames displayed here are made in Jiangnan. The hall is divided into five smaller halls for the convenience of visitors.

Here are some of the collections in the museum

Porcelain pen holder with fish motifs
Period: Qing, Emperor Kangxi’s reign (1661-1722)

Rare rosewood five-screen throne
Period: Qing, Emperor Qianlong’s reign (1736-1796)

A pair of rare rosewood seven-tiered pagodas
Period: Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)

Bowl with crimson exterior and golden-glazed interior
Period: Qing, Emperor Qianlong’s reign (1736-1796)

Yellow-glazed porcelain bowl
Period: Ming Dynasty, Emperor Hongzhi’s reign (1488-1505)