Beitou Museum will present Gems Across Cultures: Weaving the Fabric of Human Civilization from January 24 (Sat) to July 26 (Sun), 2026. Inspired by Shuowen Jiezi and its meanings of zhu (珠) and ji (璣)—one perfectly round, the other beautifully irregular—the exhibition reflects an inclusive vision of beauty across cultures and time.

Created in collaboration with collector and traveler Ms. Wu Pi-Yun, the exhibition brings together bead adornments spanning thousands of years and a vast geography—from natural materials to remarkable glass artistry. Highlights include rare Warring States–period beads, Venetian chevrons, Roman glass, and diverse bead traditions from Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and beyond. Each bead is a miniature time capsule, carrying traces of identity, belief, exchange, and aesthetics.

Through objects and images, the exhibition also invites visitors to see how bead adornment lives within communities today—and how ancient beads can be restrung and reimagined in contemporary life

• Exhibition: Gems Across Cultures: Weaving the Fabric of Human Civilization
• Dates: Jan 24 (Sat) – Jul 26 (Sun), 2026
• Venue: Beitou Museum (No. 32, Youya Rd., Beitou Dist., Taipei City 112003, Taiwan)