By Cheryl Robbins / Taiwan news, Staff Writer


The museum is also working to create new items based on market demand, such as collectibles and functional objects. In October of 2005, the NPM signed a cooperative agreement with Alessi of Italy to design modern versions of Ch'ing dynasty figurines, as well as new products based on the NPM collection.

The museum has also worked with Franz Collection and mature Taiwanese designers, and organized an invitational exhibition of student designers to create functional yet nostalgic-looking products that can be mass produced under the theme "Old is New". As part of these efforts about a dozen new products will be introduced this year. Through cooperation with large brand names such as Alessi and Franz Collection, NPM is looking to expand its marketing and distribution channels outside the museum's gift shops.

Attached to the Library Building gift shop is the Fu-Ch'un-Chu Cafe, named after a famous Chinese landscape painting. A reproduction of this painting decorates the wall of the back entrance, which leads out to a patio area with tables and chairs. The menu features a selection of sandwiches and light meals such as baked seafood pasta or rice, Irish stewed pork, curry chicken, spicy roast chicken and Cinderella beef (so named because of the use of pumpkin). But, most people come here for its selection of unique teas such as San Ching Tea or Lian Shin Tea (made using the dried heart of the lotus blossom, which expands in hot water).

NPM is working with Italian design house Alessi to create mordent versions of ch'ing Dynasty figurines/NPM

The famous San Hsi Tang teahouse on the fourth floor of the main building is closed for renovation. Once completed it will feature a whole new look and design.

The National Palace Museum is located at 221, Section 2, ZhiShan Road, Shilin District, Taipei. For information, call (02) 2881-2021 or go online to www.npm.gov.tw.