The Silk Road Room
In this room, notable for its vivid colors, the exhibition is dedicated to the Silk Road—the trade routes that, beginning in the 4th century B.C., connected Europe with Asia and Africa, with silk, which was invented in China, as the main commodity traded. The commercial transactions that took place between the various countries fostered development and enrichment in other areas, such as politics, art, and religion.
The figures used in the diorama are from Trophy Miniatures, a brand that got its start in 1970 and is known for the quality of its “Toy-style” pieces—that is, the figures are painted in the style of vintage toys, not overly realistic but with a charming, naive appeal.
The main diorama on display in the center of the room is based on the 1963 film of the same name, “55 Days in Peking,” which depicts the resistance of representatives from European powers and Japan against the Boxer attacks, forcing them to take refuge in Beijing’s embassy district.
In 1900, several foreign powers sought to expand their colonial influence in China. This led to an uprising by the so-called Boxers, a Chinese secret society with anti-imperialist and anti-Japanese sentiments. This situation culminated in what became known as the “Boxer Rebellion,” after which the foreign powers abandoned their imperialist ambitions in China.
In this room, we find scenes of daily life and historical events from other countries such as Japan, China, India, Persia, and Turkey. Among the dioramas on display, the Durbar Procession stands out—a grand, colorful parade held in 1903 to commemorate the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra as Emperor and Empress of India.
The Indian market showcases moments from daily life in India during the colonial era.
A section of the room has been set aside for figures of falleros and falleras, alongside scenes from the daily life of Valencians immortalised in pieces crafted by Alymer or Mundiart.
The room was inaugurated in 2006 to mark UNESCO’s designation of the city of Valencia as the Capital of the Silk Road.
