An exhibition featuring treasures from Iran opens to the public and will run until Oct 10 at the Shanghai Museum in People's Square. [Photo/eastday.com]

A new exhibition, titled The Glory of Ancient Persia: Treasures from Iran, opened to the public on June 13 at the Shanghai Museum.

The exhibition, which has no entry fee and will run until Oct 10, delves into the rich heritage of ancient Persia as well as its deep-rooted connections with China.

It showcases 285 cultural relics sourced from esteemed institutions such as the National Museum of Iran, the Gorgan Archaeological Museum, and the Shanghai Museum itself, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the intertwined histories of these two ancient civilizations.

The exhibition is divided into three parts to comprehensively illustrate the splendor of ancient Persian culture and its profound influence on Chinese art and heritage.

Noteworthy highlights of the exhibition include a remarkable cuneiform brick from Susa that dates to 1150-1120 BC from the Elamite Kingdom, and a stunning replica of the statue of Darius the Great (550-486 BC), a testament to the grandeur of the Achaemenid Empire.

Among the treasures on display is a silver coin of Vologases II (55-58) from the Parthian Empire, underscoring the empire's pivotal role in Silk Road trade routes. Additionally, visitors can marvel at the Tang Dynasty (618-907) brocade art piece, which was sourced from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum. This piece is an example of the long history of cultural exchanges between the Sassanid Empire and China.

Ancient Iran and China, situated at opposite ends of the vast Eurasian continent, played pivotal roles in facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures along the historic Silk Road. This exhibition not only celebrates the artistic and cultural achievements of these two civilizations, but also highlights the enduring bonds that have connected them through the annals of history.

An artifact from ancient Persia is displayed at the ongoing exhibition at the Shanghai Museum. [Photo/eastday.com]

Jebrael Nokandeh, director of the National Museum of Iran, said that he hopes this exhibition provides Chinese people with an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of Iranian culture.

Chu Xiaobo, director of the Shanghai Museum, said, "This exhibition helps position the Shanghai Museum as a 'Museum of World Civilization'. In the future, the Shanghai Museum will launch more themed exhibitions related to ancient civilizations from around the world."

Source: eastday.com