The National Museum is presenting the Chinese jade sculpture Cabbage with Locust and Grasshopper in Europe for the first time. The sculpture is the star of the exhibition 100 Treasures, 100 Stories.
For the first time in Europe, visitors to the Prague National Museum can admire one of the greatest treasures of Chinese art: the famous jade sculpture Cabbage with Locust and Grasshopper. This tiny masterpiece, carved from a single piece of two-coloured jade – emerald green and grey-white – is regarded in China as an icon, with significance comparable to that of the Mona Lisa in Paris.
The sculpture takes centre stage in the exhibition 100 Treasures, 100 Stories, which presents a wealth of other treasures from imperial collections: sparkling jade and nephrite carvings, delicate porcelain and glass artworks, magnificent scrolls, and majestic lion figures. Eleven-metre-long scrolls are brought to life through digital animations, allowing viewers to virtually “walk through” markets, festivals, and everyday scenes of the Qing Dynasty. Interactive stations invite visitors to delve into the stories behind the objects and discover details that would otherwise remain hidden.
The exhibition combines tradition with modern experience: large projections tell the stories of European artists at the Chinese court, while animations transform legendary carp into dragons – symbols of patience, perseverance, and advancement. A pair of majestic lions greets visitors at the entrance – protective symbols representing power and security since the Han Dynasty.
From ornate red sandalwood boxes to delicate jade discs, porcelain flasks, arm rings, and mirrors from the 1st century – each object tells its own story of craftsmanship, daily life, and spirituality in China. The exhibits come from the National Palace Museum in Taipei, offering a window into the world of the Chinese emperors.
100 Treasures, 100 Stories runs until the end of the year, daily from 10 am to 5 pm at the Prague National Museum – a truly sensory experience.
National Museum Prague (Národní muzeum)
Václavské nám. 68, 110 00 Nové Město
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