Terra Cotta Warriors Exhibit at the Bower's Musem

Today Joe and I had the opportunity to go and check out the Terra Cotta Warriors exhibit at the Bower's museum, which is only 15 minutes away from our house.

It has been going on since May but I only just learned of it and since it is ending on October 16, I knew we had to go ASAP or we would miss it.

It truly was amazing. I was seriously bummed though, because they didn't allow any photographs inside the exhibit at all.

I wanted to take pictures so badly! I even set off one of the alarms they have around one of the exhibits because I was leaning in so close to get a look at one of the horses.

Oops! :) The detail is incredible. Other people did it too, okay?

The pictures above are from a G**gle search on the internet.

It really made me want to see them in China. A girl can dream right?

They also had another exhibit going on showcasing some of China's art.

Don't worry, the photographs that I did take were all taken in areas where it was allowed!

Because Joe is a college teacher, we were able to get a yearly membership, which included free tickets to the exhibit and free admission all year long. Score!

Bowers Museum Exhibit: Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor on display May 18, 2008 - Oct. 12, 2008

Bowers Museum in Santa Ana has experienced many "firsts" in the arts and collections world. This unique cultural museum is credited with bringing rare objects and treasures from around the globe to Southern California in never-seen presentations and touring exhibits on loan from cities and collectors worldwide. The latest such exhibit, Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor, will unveil 20 complete life-sized figures, the most ever to have left China, in a 120-object touring archive of rare artifacts over 2200 years old.

Only one of two museums in the United States to host this special display (the other is Houston Museum of Natural Science), guests will feast their eyes on life-size clay figures that includes warriors, battle garb, horses and items that tell a story of the formation of China today. Recently signing agreements with Chinese cultural officials in Xi’an, China, the exhibit will include the largest and most noteworthy collection of objects ever to travel from what many believe is the most significant archaeological discovery of the 20th century.

Court officials, acrobats and generals, half-sized bronze chariots and life-sized bronze animals that were found in what would have been gardens within the tomb complex belonging to China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang (259 – 210 B.C.,) shed light on one of the most important men in history. Unifying several separate warring states in 221 B.C., he established the foundation of China today. Among his many efforts was the construction of the 30-foot-high, 3,000-mile-long Great Wall of China to protect his empire.

Qin Shi Huang's heavily guarded tomb was surrounded by thousands of Terra Cotta Warriors and replicated an underground city. 500 tons of mercury flowing as rivers and a jeweled ceiling representing the heavens are portions of the tomb, most of which is unexplored.

Bowers Museum President Peter Keller said, "No previous exhibit from China has ever been allowed to include more than 20 ‘level one’ objects. We are bringing 51 ‘level one’ objects.” Previous significant exhibits have included Secret World of Forbidden City, and The Dead Sea Scrolls.

Voted Orange County, California's favorite museum for more than a decade, Bowers Museum is close to Disneyland Resorts, and features eight permanent and special exhibits.

Bowers Museum
2002 N. Main St.
Santa Ana, CA 92706
(714) 567-3600
www.bowers.org