Te Papa museum is planning an exhibition of more than 160 pieces from China's Terracotta Armies, including soldiers, horses and chariots.

Te Papa will host an exhibition of China's ancient terracotta warriors next year.

The national museum in Wellington is teeing up an exhibition of the 2300-year-old treasures from the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, to open in December 2018.

It is understood the major exhibition, China's Terracotta Armies, will cost more than $4 million.

COLLETTE DEVLIN/STUFF Discovered in 1974 in Xi'an, the stone army is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. Its purpose was to protect the emperor in his afterlife.

A large part of the expense will be transporting the life-size warriors to and from China, and bringing in a team of Chinese experts to install and remove them.

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Te Papa head of partnerships and development Wladimir Ramsteijn​ was in China last week seeking sponsorship support for the exhibition and "casting the net offshore" for new ideas and partnerships to help support the commercial side of the museum.

SUPPLIED Te Papa head of partnerships and development Dim Ramsteijn says the museum will link the Terracotta Warriors exhibition to cultural Chinese events and the Chinese new year celebrations in 2019.

He expected the exhibition – from December 20, 2018, until April 2019 – to attract more than 112,000 visitors and have an economic impact of about $41m.

Wellington has previously hosted an exhibition of miniature versions of the famous warriors, but this will be the first opportunity to see the life-sized originals.

Creators were working on how to exhibit the agreed list of 160 works that will include eight terracotta warrior figures, two warrior horses, and two replica bronze horse-drawn chariots.



The exhibition, which is understood to be insured for US$80m, will also feature dozens of treasures from imperial tombs in and around China's ancient capital of Xi'an, where the army of stone was uncovered in 1974.

The museum was planning to make it an immersive exhibition, and aims to develop film or augmented reality experiences.

Te Papa would also host an exhibition of contemporary Chinese art, and wanted to create Chinese cultural events linked to the exhibition and the Chinese new year celebrations in 2019, Ramsteijn said.

COLLETTE DEVLIN/STUFF Te Papa's exhibition looks set to open in December next year.

It would use the exhibition to foster regional and national tourism, as well as promoting diplomatic relations and trade with China.

The exhibition has been on the cards since the museum signed a memorandum of understanding in 2012 with Shaanxi History Museum, and was followed up in 2013 by former prime minister John Key, when he visited Xi'an.

After a series of negotiations, a final contract was signed with Shaanxi Cultural Relics Bureau in March this year.

COLLETTE DEVLIN/STUFF Three partially excavated pits are filled with about 8000 figures of terracotta soldiers, horse-drawn chariots, and weapons.

Wellington Regional Economy Development Agency chief executive Derek Fry said the exhibition would be a valuable opportunity.

"We share Te Papa's view that this exhibition can be leveraged to build cultural, political and business links with China."

In a letter of support, John McKinnon, New Zealand ambassador to China, said every year millions of people travelled to see the warriors, which were a remarkably lifelike depiction of people from long ago.

COLLETTE DEVLIN/STUFF Originally brightly painted, they are intricately detailed with armor, top knots, weapons and boots. No two figures are alike, and craftsmen are believed to have modelled them after a real army.

"The presence of a group of them in New Zealand will broaden understanding in our country of China's long and diverse history. The exhibition will contribute to our ever-growing cultural link between China and New Zealand."

ARMY OF CLAY

* The terracotta army was discovered in 1974 in Xi'an, central China.

* The army is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China.

* They were found in pits near his mausoleum. Their purpose was to protect the emperor in his afterlife.

* There are believed to be about 8000 soldiers, archers, mounted cavalry, horse-drawn chariots, officers, acrobats and musicians.

* The statues weigh about 180 kilograms each and range in height from 1.83 metres to 1.95m, depending on rank.

* No two figures are alike, and craftsmen are believed to have modelled them after a real army.

* Collette Devlin travelled to China with assistance from the Asia New Zealand Foundation.