Terracotta Warriors

[wellinghall]

We went down to London yesterday, to see The First Emperor / China's Terracotta Army . We started by oversleeping - as we had an early ticket, this meant a bit of a dash. Still, we got out of the house in time, and down to London - Thameslink line to St Pancras, Piccadilly line to Holborn, and follow the signs to the British Museum.

We actually got there a few minutes early. We checked where the exhibition was (the reading room), then popped into a little display called Divine Cat: Speaking to the gods in Ancient Egypt. After that, a wander round the Great Court, and join the queue for the main attraction.

Once in, we were confronted with one of the warriors - a kneeling crossbowman. Incredibly detailed, down to the fastenings on his armour and the hobnails on his boots. Further displays showed weapons, techniques &c, before we moved on to a display of about twenty of the terracotta figures. There was a group of soldiers - light and heavy infantry, cavalry, a chariot, an officer and two generals. Also, a (replica) bronze chariot; terracotta musicians; bronze birds (the crane had a little fish in its beak!); terracotta acrobats; and even terracotta civil servants! Then a few more display cases, including a fully-painted (and very bright) version of the crossbowman; and out into the great court.

All very impressive, and well worth it.

Then a light lunch in the cafe - slightly dull sandwiches, but nice fruit and cakes. A wander into the American display, and then home.

Comments

[lalwendeboggart.livejournal.com]

I'd like to see this - but I'm afraid that even if I got the Master Cutler (less than a 2 hour journey) it would be too much of a day out for a little one. I certainly wouldn't want to try buses or tubes with a pram in London, though if I was going to the BM I'd normally walk on a nice day as I like Bloomsbury.

I especially want to see the terracotta civil servants ;)

I love the BM for the odd things it has, like Dr John Dee's alchemical instruments...fab.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

I'd like to see those!

[dreiviertel.livejournal.com]

Well done! We've been thinking about going to see them for ages, but still haven't got round to it.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

It's worth it!

[mrkinch.livejournal.com]

What on earth would "the American display" be?

Sadly, while the video has a few brief shots of cranes, none of them has a fish.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Actually the American gallery - the (one) gallery in the museum devoted to North American exhibits. There is another one for Mexico, I believe, but we didn't see that one.

There was another temporary exhibition on life and death, which had some fascinating South American costumes.

[overconvergent.livejournal.com]

I am booked for the end of March; thanks for the positive review.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

It's worth it. The only downside is that it was quite crowded; but this is only to be expected.