Old Summer Palace bronze heads attract visitors in Macao

　　Four original bronze Chinese zodiac animal heads from Beijing's Old Summer Palace are seenon display at the Poly MGM Museum in Macao on December 4,2024. /CFP

　　Four bronze animal heads from Beijing's Old Summer Palace, currently on display in Macao, have captivated visitors with their historical significance and artistic beauty. 

　　The original sculptures – representing the Tiger, Pig, Ox, and Monkey – are part of the legendary set of 12 Chinese zodiac animal heads that once adorned a water clock fountain in Yuanmingyuan, or the Old Summer Palace. This grand former imperial garden, built during the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911), was looted by the Anglo-French allied forces in 1860, and some of the animal heads remain missing to this day.

　　Four original bronze Chinese zodiac animal heads from Beijing's Old Summer Palace are seenon display at the Poly MGM Museum in Macao on December 4,2024.

　　These bronze masterpieces are being showcased as part of the exhibition "The Maritime Silk Road – Discover the Mystical Seas and Encounter the Treasures of the Ancient Trade Route," which features over 200 precious artifacts at the Poly MGM Museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich history of cultural exchange and trade.