The Museum of Classical Art Guanfu

　　The Guanfu Museum is the first privately-owned museum in New China. Approved by the government on October 30, 1996, it was founded by Mr. Ma Weidu. In 2004, it adopted a council management system. The museum houses specialized exhibition halls including Ceramics, Furniture, Oil Painting, Crafts, Media Arts, Doors and Windows, as well as a multi-functional hall. It regularly hosts various exhibitions and lectures, and provides appraisal and consultation services. The exhibitions emphasize an open format, focusing on fostering a connection between people and history, and highlighting the approachability of traditional culture. The Guanfu Museum has regional branches in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, and Xiamen, Fujian. As a non-profit independent legal entity, it accepts donations from all sectors of society.

　　Since the 1980s, Ma Weidu has been collecting ancient Chinese artifacts. By the 1990s, his collection had grown significantly, comprising over a thousand items such as ceramics, antique furniture, jade objects, and scholar’s objects. In 1992, his book "Ma on Ceramics" was regarded by many readers as an introductory text to traditional culture. He subsequently authored monographs and research works on cultural relics such as "Brush Holders of the Ming and Qing Dynasties," as well as hundreds of short articles and essays on cultural relic studies published in magazines like "Collectors" and "Cultural Relics Newspaper." He also participated in compiling "The Precious Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles." Another major work by Ma Weidu, "Ancient Chinese Doors and Windows," was published in 2002, winning the Sixth National Book Award and the First Prize of the Second National Excellent Art Book Award. He is currently dedicated to the research and organization of ancient Chinese furniture art. Ma Weidu has also been a lecturer on CCTV's "Lecture Room," hosting the series "Ma Weidu on Collecting."

　　The establishment of the Museum of Classical Art Guanfu has been a long-cherished dream of Ma Weidu. Starting in 1992, he began nurturing the plan and actively worked towards its realization. With strong support from relevant departments, the museum was finally approved for establishment in October 1996.

　　Initially located on Liulichang, Beijing’s historic cultural street, the Museum of Classical Art Guanfu occupied an exhibition space of about 400 square meters, primarily displaying artifacts from the Ming and Qing dynasties. In addition to its permanent display of antique furniture, the museum regularly organized thematic exhibitions and cultural exchange lectures. The interior was warm and elegant, with living room, study, bedroom, and tea room setups that broke the stereotype of cold, sterile museums. The entire venue had only a dozen or so glass display rooms, which continuously featured new exhibitions.

　　Since its official opening to the public on January 18, 1997, the museum has hosted more than ten exhibitions, including “Blue-and-White Porcelain of the Late Ming and Early Qing Dynasties,” “Ancient Chinese Scholar’s Tools,” “Ming and Qing Dynasty Storage Boxes,” “Ancient Ceramics of the Song, Liao, Jin, and Yuan Dynasties,” “Guanfu Miniature Exhibition,” “Nostalgia by the Sea,” “The Beauty of Food Vessels—Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong Blue-and-White Porcelain Plates,” “The Artistry of Hammering and Chiseling—Ancient Chinese Metal Craftsmanship,” “Ancient Chinese Doors and Windows,” and “Windows and Furnishings in Ancient Chinese Architecture.” In 1999, to coincide with the World Architecture Congress, the Guanfu Museum collaborated with the Architectural Newspaper to host the “Windows and Furnishings in Ancient Chinese Architecture” exhibition. The exquisite exhibits and unique exhibition design left a deep impression on 200,000 visitors from around the world. President [name redacted] visited the exhibition during its opening and spoke highly of it. In October 2003, at the request of the Ministry of Culture, the museum exhibited ancient Chinese doors and windows in Paris. French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin, Culture Minister Jean-Jacques Aillagon, Chinese State Councilor Chen Zhili, and painter Zao Wou-Ki were among the dignitaries who attended and praised the exhibition. The local European Times also published a major article reporting on the event.

　　At the beginning of 2000, the Museum of Classical Art Guanfu relocated to Chaonei Nanche Street, continuing its previous exhibition style and philosophy, striving to present even better exhibitions to the public. The museum permanently displays fine ancient Chinese artifacts and regularly organizes thematic exhibitions and cultural exchange lectures.

　　In 2004, the Museum of Classical Art Guanfu moved to No. 18, Jinnan Road, Zhangwanfen, Dashanzi, Chaoyang District, Beijing. Covering a total area of 8 mu (approximately 1.3 acres), the exhibition and member activity area spans 2,800 square meters. The museum includes seven specialized exhibition halls: Furniture, Ceramics, Doors and Windows, Photography, Oil Painting, Crafts, and a Multi-functional Hall. It operates under a membership system.

　　In 2007, the Museum of Classical Art Guanfu was officially renamed “Guanfu Museum.” Ma Weidu’s vision is to quickly socialize and standardize the museum, establish a sound operational mechanism, and ultimately leave it completely to society. Achieving this cannot rely solely on individual effort but must harness the power of society. In 2007, the Guanfu Museum officially implemented a council management system, with 100 council members contributing together to this cultural endeavor.

　　In 2002, Ma Weidu founded the first branch of a private museum in China—the Guanfu Museum Hangzhou. In 2005, he established the Guanfu Museum Xiamen.

　　The Guanfu Museum is a non-profit independent legal entity, accepting donations from all sectors of society.

　　The establishment of the Museum of Classical Art Guanfu filled the gap in privately-owned museums since the founding of the People’s Republic of China. It received coverage and support from over a hundred media outlets, including CCTV, Beijing TV, local stations, Hong Kong Phoenix Satellite TV, Japan’s NHK, China Daily, People’s Political Consultative Daily, People’s Daily Overseas Edition, Guangming Daily, Beijing Youth Daily, Southern Weekend, Beijing Evening News, China Cultural Relics Newspaper, and Hong Kong Ta Kung Pao, all championing his cultural mission.

　　The name “Guanfu” originates from Chapter 16 of Laozi’s Dao De Jing, which reads: “Attain utmost vacuity; maintain steadfast quietude. All things arise together; I watch their return. Things flourish and grow, each returning to its root. Returning to the root is called quietude; quietude is called returning to one’s nature.” It means reaching the utmost state of emptiness, abiding in deep meditation, observing how all things in the universe interact and grow, thereby discerning their fundamental source. No matter how diverse or changeable things may be, they will ultimately return to their roots. Returning to the root is called quietude, which is returning to one’s true nature. “Guan” means to observe, and “Fu” means to return again and again. Only by calmly and repeatedly observing all things can one perceive their essence. Hence, the museum is named “Guanfu.”