A Russian art and culture feast arrives in Beijing

A gilded-silver drinking ladle, or kovsh in Russian, and a bronze samovar that once facilitated the daily lives of czars in the Kremlin centuries ago were brought into view of museum curators from Russia and China and visiting media on Wednesday at the National Museum of China in Beijing.

The two artifacts glittering with artistry and historic reminiscence were carefully examined and photographed.

A week later they would be on show at the exhibition Russian Banquet, highlighting Russia's royal culinary traditions and social lives since the 16th century.

The exhibition, opening at the National Museum on Nov 21, will display over 138 objects from the collection of the Moscow Kremlin Museums.

There will be fine tableware, clothing and porcelains that filled the eyes and stomachs of those who lived in and visited the Kremlin, offering clues to what and how Russians of the past ate and drank, vividly depicting the social etiquette and royal banquets.

The objects also stand as examples of the exchanges between Russia and the rest of the world.

The exhibition runs until March 16 and is part of the Years of Culture between Russia and China in 2024 and 25.