The Ringling Museum of Art today reveals a stunning collection of priceless art from the Asian continent with Royal Taste: The Art of Princely Courts in Fifteenth-Century China, an exhibition created in conjunction with the Hubei Provincial Museum in China. Featuring more than 140 cultural artifacts and national treasures on loan, in addition to 12 porcelain pieces from the Ringling’s Wall-Apelt Collection, and displayed across three galleries in the museum’s Searing Wing, audiences are afforded a glimpse into the palatial everyday lives of Ming royalty, as well as accompanying burial artifacts and religious objects from the Daoist temples of Mount Wudang.

“The Ringling Museum is dedicated to promoting the art of the world,” said Dr. Fan Zhang, associate curator of Asian art at The Ringling and one of many museum officials who travelled to China in the past year working with Hubei Provincial Museum officials to create Royal Taste. “These fantastic works present a rare opportunity to experience the incredible richness and character of material culture in the Ming Dynasty.”

One room of the exhibit stands dedicated to artifacts recovered from the tomb of Prince Zhuang of Liang, the discovery of which has been heralded as one of the greatest discoveries in Ming archaeology in the last 50 years. Dying heirless in the 15th century, Zhuang was thus opulently interred, surrounded by golden bangles, bracelets and brooches, ivory carved figurines and a standout 14-piece hairpin set fitted with precious gems, each representative of the highest quality craftsmanship of the time.

Crossing the threshold into the neighboring space, visitors get a taste of the ubiquitous sophistication of the time, with one wall dominated by a series of intricately painted hanging scrolls, the largest in the Hubei Museum’s collection. Depicting quiet, pastoral scenes, with hard-working fishermen dotted across flowing streams under the watch of mist-shrouded mountains, the pleasant visage offers insight as well as beauty. Exquisite porcelain-ware and silk robes hint at the colorful decadence of courtly life, but Zhang gravitates toward the great round stone carving at the far end of the room, its dragon mouth bared to the audience. The centerpiece for a standing screen wall, it would provide privacy and was believed to ward off demons.

The final room explores the religious customs of the time, and it’s here Zhang has placed many of the cast statues and artifacts from the Daoist temples in Mount Wudang. The robed Dragon King, deity of rain and water, roars from his pedestal, an elaborate cast capturing every scale and fold, perched next to two celestial deities, such as the thunder god standing poised, mid-cry, ready to shake the heavens.

“Through this exhibition, the audience will get a basic understanding of palatial life and the rich religious practices of Ming princes,” said Zhang. “We are glad to have Hubei as a partner and I hope this will be the start of a series of collaborations between Ringling and museums in Asia.”

Royal Taste: The Art of Princely Courts in Fifteenth-Century China opens today at The Ringling Museum of Art and runs until Jan. 10. 

The deep brown silk of this Moyna Couture clutch is burnished with large rust stones and bronza gems. $568. As featured in the October 2015 edition of SRQ | The Magazine. For more bronze warmth, check out the Catch section in the October issue of SRQ: The Magazine. 

L. Boutique, 556 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, 941-906-1350

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Michael’s on East through the years has developed a special relationship with the culinary team at South Africa’s famed Londolozi Game Preserve, and will host Executive Chef Anna Ridgewell at an interactive cooking dinner on Nov. 6. Tickets, which went on sale Thursday, are available at the link. Michael’s shared this recipe for those who want to study or just tackle the dish themselves.

Londolozi Seared Shrimp with Dried Date and Pine Nut Chutney 

Ingredients: 1.5 cups dried dates, chopped; 2 lb of 16/20 shrimp; 1 cup golden raisins; 1 cup pine nuts, toasted; 1 teaspoon turmeric; ½ teaspoon cinnamon; ½ teaspoon paprika; ½ teaspoon coriander; 3 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro; 3 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley; 3 tablespoon chopped fresh mint; 1 cup olive oil; Juice of 2 limes; Salt and pepper to taste

In a medium sauté pan over medium high heat, add the oil and dates and cook for about 2 minutes. Add all the dry spices and cook for 2 minutes, until the spices are toasted. Add the shrimp and pine nuts and cook until the shrimp is thoroughly cooked (pink). Add the fresh herbs and lime juice, salt and pepper to taste and set aside until ready to plate the dish.  

Ingredients (for Couscous Salad): 4 cups couscous; 4 cups water (room temperature); ½ teaspoon cumin; ½ teaspoon garlic powder ; 1 teaspoon turmeric ; ¾ cup virgin olive oil; Pinch of ground cinnamon; Salt and pepper to taste; 1 cup dried apricots; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in ½; 3 cups; fresh baby spinach; ½ cup green raisins; 1 tablespoon fresh chopped mint; ½ cup aged red wine vinegar

In a small hotel pan add the water, turmeric, cinnamon, garlic powder, cumin, olive oil, salt and pepper. Mix well then add the couscous and let sit for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, or until the couscous absorbed all the liquid. Separate the couscous with your hands and transfer to a bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and season with salt and pepper. Set aside (and keep chilled) until the dish is ready to be plated.

Place a generous spoonful of the couscous salad in the middle of the serving plate. Place the shrimp around the salad and top with the chutney. Serve and enjoy! 

Tickets to Michael's on East event

Valerie Goddard, who led The Women’s Resource Center of Sarasota County as the executive director for the last two years, is pursuing other professional opportunities and interests, including re-entering the public policy, government and education arenas and re-engaging her management and strategy consulting firm. Goddard, who has 25 years of executive management experience, notified the board of her decision at the September 15 board meeting. She will continue to serve as the executive director until October 12. The organization has named Barbara Cruz as interim executive director.  

The Women’s Resource Center of Sarasota County

Lendacy hired Kenneth Rachon to fill the role of operations manager and promoted Kelly Locke to a new director of sales and marketing position. Locke will be responsible for managing and growing the Lendacy sales team along with coordinating marketing in conjunction with the company’s strategic partners. Rachon previously worked as a lead manager for an accounting and consulting firm in Indianapolis, Indiana before relocating to Sarasota. 

Lendacy

After weeks of renovation, the eight-year old Picobello Children’s Store has reopened.  The new interior and European designer clothing are intended to make shopping at the downtown store more enjoyable. There will be a grand reopening celebration Oct. 29-31. 

Picobello Children’s Store