The exhibition "Golden Splendours: 20th-Century Painted Porcelains of Hong Kong" will open tomorrow (December 19) at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. Through the display of more than 200 porcelain objects painted and produced by local painters and porcelain factories, the exhibition will illustrate the history and culture of local painted porcelain in the 20th century, showcasing the prime period of the industry.
The exhibition will display various types of local porcelain, including vintage and armorial porcelain ware that was mainly for export, as well as daily and decorative pieces that were widely popular in Hong Kong. Complemented with other exhibits, such as historical photos, manuscripts, hand-drawn designs, pigments and tools, the exhibition will reveal the development and characteristics of local painted porcelain, enabling visitors to learn about the accomplishments of the industry.
In the 20th century, the local painted porcelain industry reached its golden age by producing unique and special painted porcelain appealing to both the Chinese and Western communities. Locally produced porcelain products were exported and sold around the world. In addition to its diverse shapes and rich decoration, the porcelain also combined Chinese and Western cultural elements, showing the distinct local colour of Hong Kong.
Highlight exhibits include a plate in guangcai style with Canton rose in medallion design, a pair of deities in Qianlong fencai style, a plate with a scene of an angel announcing the resurrection of Christ, a covered jar with gilded copper ornamentation and mandarin design in Qianlong guangcai style, a two-handled vase lamp stand with a tobacco leaf pattern, and a pewter-encased square tile ashtray with green butterfly design.
An opening ceremony was held today (December 18). Officiating guests included the Acting Deputy Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Culture), Mr Chan Shing-wai; the President of the Hong Kong Ceramics Research Society, Mr Chris Lo; the Society's Founding President and Guangcai/Gangcai Research Project Coordinator, Ms Yim Wai-wai; and the Museum Director of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Ms Fione Lo.
The exhibition will run until March 18 next year and admission is free. The exhibition is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Hong Kong Ceramics Research Society, and jointly organised by the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and the Hong Kong Ceramics Research Society.
The Hong Kong Heritage Museum is located at 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin. For details of the exhibition, please visit the museum's website at www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk/en_US/web/hm/exhibitions/current_exhibitions.html, or call 2180 8188 for enquiries.
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