Santa Ana, CA - "Arts of Ancient China: A 5,000 Year Legacy,” featuring nearly 75 sets of objects from the Neolithic period (circa 3000 B.C.) to the Qing dynasty (1644-1911 A.D.), is the newest permanent exhibit at Bowers Museum in Orange County, Calif., and opens Sept. 4, 2007. This incredible collection portrays the evolution of Chinese technology, art and culture utilizing rare examples of bronze vessels, mirrors, polychrome potteries, sculptures, porcelains, paintings, ivory carvings and robes.

“Arts of Ancient China: a 5,000 Year Legacy” is curated by authorities of Chinese history and culture from the Shanghai Museum.

 Selected objects include examples of Neolithic pottery jars and jade ornaments, bronze vessels and mirrors from the Shang through Tang dynasties, porcelains and other ceramics from the Tang through Ming dynasties, robes and headdresses from the Qing dynasty and, paintings from the Ming and Qing dynasties.

This exhibit displays 14 pieces of ancient bronze vessels, mirrors and music instruments, which demonstrate the ancient Chinese court dining cultures and rules of ceremonies. The porcelain works illustrate the most delicate and tasteful Chinese ceramic craftsmanship.

“Arts of Ancient China: A 5,000 Year Legacy” is one of six permanent exhibits that include “Art of Adornment: Tribal Beauty,” “The First Californians,” “Vision of the Shaman, Song of the Priest,” “Missions and Ranchos,” and “California: the Golden Years.

The Bowers currently features two special exhibits: “Mummies: Death and the Afterlife in Ancient Egypt…Treasures from The British Museum” and “Gems! Colors of Light and Stone.”

In celebration of the grand opening of the Dorothy and Donald Kennedy Wing, the Bowers Museum offers all special and permanent exhibits together for one low price. Weekday general admission to Bowers Museum is $17 for adults, $12 for seniors (62+) and students, and children under 6 are free. Weekend general admission is $19 for adults, $14 for seniors (62+) and students, and children under 6 are free. For group tour information call 714-567-3680. For all other information call 714-567-3600.

One of Southern California’s finest museums and Orange County’s largest, Bowers Museum promotes human understanding through permanent collections and special exhibitions from the greatest museums in the world. Bowers has organized some of the most culturally significant exhibits in history, including “Secret World of Forbidden City,” “The Dead Sea Scrolls,” “Egyptian Treasures of The British Museum,” “Tibet: Treasures from the Roof of the World,” “Mummies: Death and the Afterlife in Ancient Egypt” and now “Treasures from Shanghai: 5000 Years of Chinese Art and Culture.” Visit the Bowers Museum at : www.bowers.org