Bronze statue of the twelve zodiac animal heads in Yuanmingyuan - pig head

Bronze statue of the twelve zodiac animal heads in Yuanmingyuan - pig head

Originally part of the fountain outside the Haiyan Hall of the Yuanmingyuan. The pig head bronze statue represents the hour of Hai (21:00 to 23:00) and is one of the twelve zodiac bronze statues. It was designed by European missionary, Italian Lang Shining, supervised by French Jiang Youren, and produced by Qing court craftsmen. The pig head bronze statue symbolizes wealth and auspiciousness, and is an important symbol in traditional Chinese culture. In 1860, the Anglo French coalition invaded China and set fire to the Old Summer Palace, causing the loss of pig head bronze statues overseas. In 2003, Macau entrepreneur Dr. Stanley Ho purchased a pig head bronze statue and donated it to the Poly Art Museum, allowing the pig head bronze statue to return to China.
Bronze statue of the twelve zodiac animal heads in Yuanmingyuan - Monkey Head

Bronze statue of the twelve zodiac animal heads in Yuanmingyuan - Monkey Head

Originally part of the fountain outside the Haiyan Hall of the Yuanmingyuan. The bronze statue of the monkey's head represents the hour of Shen (15:00 to 17:00) and is one of the twelve zodiac bronze statues. It was designed by European missionary, Italian Lang Shining, supervised by French Jiang Youren, and produced by Qing court craftsmen. The monkey head bronze statue is renowned for its exquisite casting techniques and the fusion of Eastern and Western art. In 1860, the Anglo French coalition invaded China and set fire to the Yuanmingyuan, causing the monkey head bronze statue to begin to be lost overseas. In the 1980s, it was purchased by China Poly Group for HKD 8.185 million at Christie's auction house and is now housed in the Poly Art Museum.
Bronze statue of the twelve zodiac animal heads in Yuanmingyuan - Tiger Head

Bronze statue of the twelve zodiac animal heads in Yuanmingyuan - Tiger Head

Originally part of the fountain outside the Haiyan Hall of the Yuanmingyuan. The bronze statue of the tiger head represents the Yin period (3 to 5 o'clock) and is one of the twelve zodiac bronze statues. It was designed by European missionary, Italian Lang Shining, supervised by French Jiang Youren, and produced by Qing court craftsmen. The bronze statue with a tiger's head symbolizes bravery and authority, and is regarded as the embodiment of a king. In 1860, the Anglo French coalition invaded China and burned down the Old Summer Palace, causing the tiger headed bronze statue to begin to be lost overseas. After wandering overseas for many years, he was finally purchased by Dr. Ho Hung shen, a patriot, in 2000 and donated to Poly Art Museum for collection, so that he could return to the motherland.
Bronze Statue of the Twelve Zodiac Beasts in Yuanmingyuan - Ox Head

Bronze Statue of the Twelve Zodiac Beasts in Yuanmingyuan - Ox Head

Originally part of the fountain outside the Haiyan Hall of the Yuanmingyuan. The bronze statue of the ox head represents the hour of ugliness (1 to 3 o'clock) and is one of the twelve zodiac bronze statues. It was designed by European missionary, Italian Lang Shining, supervised by French Jiang Youren, and produced by Qing court craftsmen. Each animal capital has its unique symbolic meaning, with the cow's head representing diligence and resilience. In 1860, the Anglo French coalition invaded China and set fire to the Yuanmingyuan, causing the loss of bronze statues of the twelve zodiac animals, including the ox head, overseas. After wandering overseas for many years, he was finally purchased by Dr. Ho Hung shen, a patriot, in 2000 and donated to Poly Art Museum for collection, so that he could return to the motherland.