Emilio Iurman presents his latest study book entitled “Cose di Cina Quotidiana (1900-1950)” “Things of Daily China” on the ethnographic collection of the Museum of Chinese Art in Parma. A brief history of meetings cultures, as the museum and a missionary congregation retell their stories.

In the introduction of the book, Iurman writes: "For some time I had come into contact with thousands of ethnographic objects of the Museum of Chinese Art and Ethnography of Parma, from around the world ... Of all that real cluster of cosmopolitan artifacts that I touched with my own hands, the Chinese objects had been the most valuable, because they belonged to the early years of the Institute…”...

After a long and careful study of “Fede e Civiltà” ("Faith and Civilization"), the official magazine of the Xaverian congregation, Iurman highlights the stories of the missionaries who worked in China, and they "explain" the material present at the Museum. Those missionaries were eager to describe the same objects of everyday life in China, for they are part of a modest yet exciting story: dozens of Xaverians understood China, even through these objects.

This book aims to unveil an insignificant yet “daily” China, precisely, far from the splendor and superiority of the imperial court; but nevertheless alive, industrious and brilliant.

The 296-page book is divided into several chapters which illustrate the geographical, historical and religious environment, the occupations of life, its different ages, and the customs of everyday China. Finally, a short section dedicated to contributors, the Xaverians who through their stories of everyday life in China have well described the ethnographic material. The last 120 color pages show a photographic catalog of the entire Chinese ethnographic collection of the Museum.

Edition Museo d’Arte Cinese ed Etnografico di Parma, 2016
Printing Best Copy snc Parma
Cose di Cina Quotidiana – La collezione etnografica del Museo d'Arte Cinese di Parma
Pages 296, illustrated. Price: € 45.