Nanjing Museum will open “The Valuable Collections of Nanjing Museum” exhibition starting November 7 to the public as part of its 90th anniversary celebration.

As China's first large-scale comprehensive museum built by the state in 1933, the facility reflects the evolution of China's museum sector over nine decades.

“These 242 valuable cultural relics are selected from a collection of over 400,000 pieces, bringing the museum’s history to life,” said the exhibition’s curator, deputy researcher Cui Xiaoying.

An iconic treasure named “Geographical Map of Ten Thousand Countries” will be featured at the exhibition. The original map in Chinese version was created by the Italian Jesuit priest Matteo Ricci in 1602, and the only surviving colored copy was made in 1608.

The main map shows an oval-shaped representation of the world, encompassing five continents, four oceans, and geographic details of the equator and the North and South Poles. It includes nine ships and 23 animals, including whales, sea lions and rhinoceroses, along with insets of eight astronomical and seasonal maps.

“The map signifies the merging of Chinese and Western geographical concepts, carrying important historical value,” Cui said.

Another highlight is a bell that witnessed the surrender ceremony of Japan in World War II in China, which took place in Nanjing at 9:00 on September 9, 1945. The time, 9-9-9, symbolized the Chinese people’s aspirations for enduring peace.

The exhibition also showcases a rare painting of Chinese starling birds by Emperor Zhao Ji (1082-1135) of the Northern Song Dynasty. This exquisite work depicts two birds in fierce fight, with feathers falling in the air, while another bird looks on from a higher vantage point. An inscription made by Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799) of the Qing Dynasty further enhanced its allure.