On 15 October, “Chongqing University” became the most searched topic on various search engines on the mainland. But this is not good news for the university. Chongqing University was embroiled in a scandal surrounding its recently opened museum, Chongqing University Museum, which cost them more than RMB 6m (US$850,000) to build. The museum was shut down shortly after its opening as there have been doubts over the authenticity of the exhibits on display. Here is a timeline to provide a better overview of this trending scandal in China.
Chongqing University Museum
The grand opening of Chongqing University Museum
7 October | Grand opening
This year marks the 90th university of Chongqing University and the project of Chongqing University Museum was considered a major highlight among a series of celebration events. According to the Beijing News, the 1494-square-meter Chongqing University Museum is located in Art Complex Building in the Huxi Campus area and it took RMB 6.05m (US$850,000) to complete.
Chongqing University Museum officially opened on 7 October with an inaugural exhibition showcasing over 400 items from Buddhist sculptures, jades and bronzes. Like any other exhibitions, it had information about the works of art on display, like the history, production and design of bronzes systematically illustrated on the walls and panels on the hall.
Wu Yingqi is a professor at Chongqing University
These exhibits on display were all donated by Wu Yingqi, a professor at the university and an expert in Chinese ceramics and paintings. Records show that he has donated over 600 pieces of works to Chongqing University Museum, offering bronzes, ceramics, porcelain, jades etc. More than 300 of them were donated in 2016 and the other 342 pieces this February. When he made the first batch of the donation in 2016, Wu told media that these artefacts were all authenticated by specialists in the field and 60% of the collection are classified as “extremely rare”. He also expressed his vision to build the museum as a top university museum in the nation.
A Yuan ceramic jar (a screenshot from a Wechat article titled Did Chongqing University Spend RMB 6.7m on a Museum Full of Fakes?)
A Han jade piece (a screenshot from a Wechat article titled Did Chongqing University Spend RMB 6.7m on a Museum Full of Fakes?)
14 October | An article questioning the authenticity of exhibits at Chongqing University Museum was posted on social media WeChat
A week after the official opening of Chongqing University Museum, an article titled Did Chongqing University Spend RMB 6.7m on a Museum Full of Fakes was posted on social media WeChat. The author compared some of the exhibits with similar examples in the collection of renowned museums. He also recounted his experience visiting the museum that he found exhibits on display were all counterfeit. Security guards there also tried several times to stop him from taking photos, which made him even more suspicious of the authenticity of these artefacts.
Here are some of the items that caught his attention and were particularly mentioned in his article.
A Qin bronze chariot from Chongqing University Museum (a screenshot from the Wechat article)
A Qin bronze chariot
The design of the horse and chariot imitates one of the bronze chariots found in the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor. However, it looks like it was roughly made with many details missed. The proportion looks incongruous. And the most obvious difference is the number of horses: there are only 4 horses in original Qin bronze chariots whereas this one has six horses.
A Qin bronze chariot from Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum is classified grade-one national treasures
A light carriage from Chongqing University museum (a screenshot from the Wechat article)
The pillar under the umbrella is much thicker than other similar examples. This example also features a very unusual element - an extra gear at the rear of the carriage.
A Han bronze fish-shape lamp from Chongqing University Museum (a screenshot from the Wechat article)
The shape of the lamp is inspired by artefacts evacuated in Qinhan tombs or Haihun tombs. But this one is in a much larger size, more than ten times its original size while leaving many details out.
A bronze fish-shape lamp, Western Han Dynasty, collection of Shaanxi History Museum
A bronze taotie food vessel, ding, Shang dynasty, from Chongqing University Museum (a screenshot from the Wechat article)
Glassware, Han dynasty, from Chongqing University Museum (a screenshot from the Wechat article)
Glassware, Han dynasty, from Chongqing University Museum (a screenshot from the Wechat article)
A pottery figure of an equestrian, Tang dynasty, from Chongqing University Museum (a screenshot from the Wechat article)
The article also pointed out that the son and daughter-in-law of Professor Wu Yingqi were employed by Chongqing University as the Museum Director and the Director of the exhibition department respectively.
A sancai pottery figure of a camel carrying a group of male musicians, from Chongqing University Museum (a screenshot from the Wechat article)
A sancai pottery figure of a court lady, Tang dynasty, from Chongqing University Museum (a screenshot from the Wechat article)
15 October | Chongqing University Museum closed and Chongqing Cultural Relics Bureau stepped in as the article went viral
The article soon went viral on social media, bringing public attention to the museum. “Chongqing University Museum” became the most searched topics that it was looked up for over 6m times on search engine Baidu and made it to the top three on the latest keyword trend. It became the talk of the town and attracted media attention.
A Shanghai-based online news website The Paper visited the museum at Chongqing University and confirmed that it is now closed. The media spoke to Chongqing Cultural Relics Bureau for responses. The Bureau said the museum was privately-owned and it has never filed for approval. The Bureau has now stepped in to further investigate the incident.
Qianlong ceramic, Qing dynasty, from Chongqing University museum (a screenshot from the Wechat article)
Buddhist sculpture from Chongqing University museum (a screenshot from the Wechat article)
Chongqing University released an official statement that the University is highly concerned about this incident. A dedicated committee is immediately formed to conduct a thorough investigation into the situation and the results will be made public once available.
Chongqing University Museum is now closed