Travels with Auntie M: Genghis Khan: The Exhibition

Since February the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, CA has a special exhibition on Genghis Khan.

Closing this month, it features artifacts from private collectors from Mongolia, Azerbaijian and the United States.

Some of these objects have never been seen outside of Mongolia, and this is its' only Southern California stop on an international tour.

After Khan's death, the sons of his first wife, Borte, created the largest contiguous empire in history.

The Mongol Empire went as far north as middle Russia, east to the China Seas, south to Vietnam and India, and Turkey and Iraq on the west.

Genghis had 500 secondary wives and consorts, and today DNA shows 1 in 200 men may be his direct descendant as they have an identical Y chromosome.

This Imperial Passport (Yuan Dynasty, c. 1240 AD) is large enough to cover a dollar bill. It is one of two known Kublai Kahn passports and the inscription reads: "I am the emissary of the Khan. If you defy me, you die."

Emperor's Sword (gold, turtle shell, wood parquet inlay c. 1290 AD), Mongolian sword refurbished in 1760 AD for presentation by Chinese Emperor Quian Long.

Mongol nomads carried a portable eating set on their sash or belt as traditional Mongolian clothing did not have pockets.

Ming Dynasty Powder Horn (c. 1600 AD)

The design of a powder horn has been universal since gun powder was created.

Eggshell Porcelain Bowl (c. 1750 AD)

Signage: This bowl was painted by Castiglione, an Italian monk and painter to the court of 18^th century Emperor Qian Long of China. Mongolian life was an enduring artistic theme in China.

Women in Khan's time, in addition to domestic duties (child care, cooking, etc.) they managed and milked the animals, produced butter, cheese, yogurt and after battles, they collected arrows and finished off wounded enemy soldiers.

The ceramic Ding water pitcher is c. 1250 AD and the copper ladle is early 19^th century. Note the hinge to collapse for travel.

Hunnu Carved Leopard (206 BC - 25 AD)

Signage: The Hunnu (Huns) lived beyond the Great Wall in the area we know as Mongolia. Although they were rivals to the neighboring Han Chinese, they had some customs in common, including the use of leopard, rather than the dragon, as a symbol of the Royal House.

The sting ray skin on the handle sparkles like glitter on fabric.

Tibetan-Mongolian Hutug (pocket knife) c. 1750 - 1800 AD, has a bone handle with coral decoration.

There was a performance with one dancer and this musician playing the morin khuur, horsehead fiddle with two strings made of horse hair. Listen to my YouTube video to hear this instrument: