1/F Thematic Galleries 3 & 4
19 December 2018 – 18 March 2019

Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and The Hong Kong Ceramics Research Society
Jointly organised by Hong Kong Heritage Museum and The Hong Kong Ceramics Research Society

The porcelain industry is an integral part of the art, culture and history of Hong Kong. As a world trading port in the 20th century, Hong Kong developed unique painted porcelain with diverse shapes and rich decorations using continually innovative techniques. This particular type of painted porcelain, known as gangcai, combines Chinese and Western cultural elements, while presenting the distinct local colour of Hong Kong. Popular among both the Chinese and Western communities, gangcai represents the prime period of the painted porcelain industry in Hong Kong.

This exhibition is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and The Hong Kong Ceramics Research Society. Research is supported by The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation's "Arts: Transforming Hong Kong" Grant. It showcases painted porcelain made by local painters and factories, including vintage porcelain and armorial porcelain, produced mainly for export, as well as ceramic items for decoration and household use commonly found in Hong Kong. Complete with historical photos, manuscripts, hand-drawn designs, pigments, tools, and more, the exhibition offers an elucidating study of the development and characteristics of painted porcelain in Hong Kong and of its achievements as an industry.

Special Programmes for Exhibitions "Claylaboration—Contemporary Ceramic Art Exhibition" and "Golden Splendours: 20th-Century Painted Porcelain of Hong Kong

Exhibit Highlights

Plate in guangcai style with Canton Rose medallion design 1960s Hand-painted by Wong Nin Collection of Yuet Tung China Works

Pair of deities in Qianlong fencai style 1978-80 Painted by An Tai Porcelain & Ceramics Collection of Mr Lee Wing-chiu

Plate with scene of an angel announcing the resurrection of Christ 1959 Hand-painted by Chou Yi-hung Collection of Tao Fong Shan Christian Centre

Covered jar with gilded copper ornamentation and mandarin design in Qianlong guangcai style 1999 Blank by Wah Mou, hand-painted by Zhang Quan Collection of Wah Tung China Arts

Horse in fencai style Early 1980s Blank by Pang Chi-wing, hand-painted by Ng Siu-man, coloured by Ng Yuen Wai-fong Collection of The Hong Kong Ceramics Research Society

Plate with "The announcement of the birth of Christ" 1959 Painted by Chou Yi-hung Collection of Tao Fong Shan Christian Centre

Spanish stool with rose medallion design in guangcai style Circa 1995 Decal printed by To Ngai Earthware (Hong Kong) Blank and decal transfer by To Ngai Earthware (Meizhou) Collection of Liu Chiu-yuen

Relief plaques with scenes of the making and trading of porcelain Early 1990s Blank produced and painted by porcelain factory Tung Kwong Lai Kee Layout design by Lee Ying-sang Collection of Ho Kwong-sing

Queen Elizabeth II royal visit to Hong Kong commemorative plate 1975 Hand-painted by Mak Kam-chor Collection of Yuet Tung China Works