The CHIMEI Culture Foundation is one of the leading string instrument collectors in the world. It was founded in 1977 by the CHIMEI Corporation of Taiwan, the largest producer of ABS resin and one of the most important TFT-LCD TV suppliers in the world. After being enthralled with the Borealis’ performance, the Foundation generously loaned these fine Italian instruments to the Borealis in December of 2006 with the intention of building a long-term relationship. In addition to receiving such an endorsement, the Borealis is also the first foreign group to have received instruments from the Foundation. These instruments of such exceptional quality enable the Borealis to achieve deeper levels of artistic expression and are a great source of inspiration.

Lorenzo Storioni violin, c 1780 Cremona

The last master of the Cremona School, Lorenzo Storioni was influenced by makers of the previous generations, and between 1775 and 1795 manufactured a massive amount of high-quality string instruments in a conventional manner. However, Storioni made some bold adjustments with his extreme creativeness. He changed the position of the F-hole, selected unusual materials such as local wild maple, and decorated his instruments with wide and rugged fringe, giving them strong but elegant looks as well as excellent sound.

This violin wasn’t labeled by Storioni but G.B. Guadagnini in 1765. However, according to the authentication by American cognoscente Rudolph Wurlitzer, the violin was made by Storioni between 1780 and 1790. European expert Roland Baumgartner indicated that the year of the production was around 1780 to 1785. The violin contains both sweetness and explosiveness in its tonal quality, a typical character of the master’s instruments.

Giovanni Battista Rogeri violin, 1698 Cremona

The instruments Rogeri manufactured during 1670 and 1728 were considered the best of the master’s. They combine Cremona School’s wonderful structure, paints, and the maker’s special design, especially in the shape of the scroll and waist, which result in excellent tonal quality and dynamic capability. This instrument, based on Amati's grand pattern model, is an excellent example from 1698.

Pietro Giovanni Mantegazza viola, 1791 Milano

This viola was made by Pietro Giovanni Mantegazza, younger brother of Francesco Mantegazza and a notable viola maker in the late eighteenth century. Influenced by Carlo Landolfi, he produced lots of string instruments for Italian collector Count Cozio di Salabue and worked as a painter on several of G.B. Guadagnini’s works.

Lorenzo Storioni cello, 1778 Cremona

An extremely rare cello, this instrument was listed in the book The Late Cremonese Violin Makers as follows: “Although disguised by the rough exterior, the cello made by Lorenzo Storioni in 1778 was indeed a masterpiece for the richness of its sonority.”

The Tainan Chimei Culture Foundation was established by Chimei Corporation in order to pay back to the society. The Foundation was founded under the leadership of Mr. Wen-Long Shi in 1977. The aim is to “Create and Pursue a Happy Life”. Followed by the Chimei Arts Information Center establishment in February 1990, the Chimei Museum was finally set up in 1992 and was open to the public on April 1st of the same year with free admission. Also, the southern branch of Chimei Museum was founded in the Tainan Science Park in 2001, presenting the history of manual to machines.

The Chimei Museum occupies nearly 6,600m, locating on the 5th-8th floors in the Chimei Corporation Building. The museum accommodates western arts, musical instruments, antiquities, natural history, and arms and armour. Its rich and diverse collection includes fine violins, hundred-year-old Japanese Samurai swords, masterpieces from the Renaissance and various periods, and specimen collection of birds and animals. This allows the audience to appreciate the cultural essences around the world without going abroad, which we call “See the world while living in Taiwan”.

Western Fine Art

The museum has systematically collected all streams of works in the western art history since 1990, including all masterpieces of mosaic arts, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassicism, Romanticism, and even Post-Impressionism in the beginning of 20th century. Among them, the museum has the richest collection of French paintings and sculptures from the 19th century.

Musical Instruments

The collection of musical instruments started from the fine violins, then ancient musical instruments and automatic musical instruments. This helps the audience to understand the historical background and revolution of musical instruments. The most popular mechanical instruments area often attracts the audience by the beautiful melody and ways of mechanical exercises.

Arms & Armour

Our collection of arms and armour includes those from Europe, Indo-Persia, Africa, Asia, and Japan. Through the production of weapons and decorative arts, we can understand the human revolution and cultural characteristics of different areas.

Antiquity

The ancient artifacts possess historical values and cultural characteristics. The scope of collection includes Egypt, Greece, Rome, China and Islamic world.

Natural History

The Natural History Area collects more than 2,500 items, including mammals, birds and also a small fossil exhibition section. The animal specimen area is divided into Africa, North America, South America, Asia, Europe, Australia, India, Taiwan and the North Pole. The ecological design makes the audience understand the allocation of animals and natural ecology of different areas.