A collection of original Ming artefacts from Nanjing Museum, including Chinese National Treasures, will be on display at the National Museum of Scotland 27 June - 19 October 2014, in the only UK showing of this internationally significant exhibition. The Ming Empire was founded in 1368 and lasted for 276 years. The Ming - meaning brilliant or bright - was a period of important social transformation that resulted in a thriving consumer culture, and was the starting point of modern China. The exhibition - and the book - will showcase exquisite paintings, gold, porcelain, textiles, pottery and calligraphy. A painting from the early Ming illustrates the symbolic grandeur of Beijing's newly built Forbidden City. Beautiful furniture, musical instruments, Buddhist artefacts and items of personal adornment also help to bring to life the elegant tastes and concerns of this gilded age. A painting from the early Ming illustrates the symbolic grandeur of Beijing's newly built Forbidden City. Beautiful furniture, musical instruments, Buddhist artefacts and items of personal adornment also help to bring to life the elegant tastes and concerns of this gilded age.