Featuring over 100 treasures of ceramics from the Palace Museum that highlight the crowning artistic achievements of the Ming dynasty
In celebration of its second anniversary, the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) unveiled today the new thematic exhibition “Brilliance: Ming Dynasty Ceramic Treasures from the Palace Museum, 1368–1644” (“Brilliance”). Jointly organised by the HKPM and the Palace Museum, the exhibition showcases the development and achievements of Ming dynasty ceramics by displaying a new batch of 106 ceramic treasures on loan from the Palace Museum, including 21 grade-one national treasures, as well as 7 pieces from the HKPM’s own collection. The exhibition marks the 10th collaboration between the HKPM and the Palace Museum. It will be open to the public in Gallery 3 of the HKPM starting tomorrow (10 July 2024).
The opening ceremony for “Brilliance: Ming Dynasty Ceramic Treasures from the Palace Museum, 1368–1644” was held at the HKPM today, officiated by Luo Xianliang, Deputy Director of the Palace Museum; Winnie Tam, Chairman of the HKPM Board; Betty Fung, Chief Executive Officer of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority; and Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the HKPM.
Renowned works from the early, mid-, and late Ming dynasty are on display, including 21 grade-one national treasures
Ceramics are among the largest categories of treasures in the Palace Museum collection, accounting for 360,000 out of its more than 1.86 million items. Unparalleled in volume, quality, and variety, they are mainly inherited from the imperial collections of the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties. “Brilliance” features over 100 representative Ming ceramic treasures from the collection of the Palace Museum. It is organised in three sections and explores the development and the outstanding achievements of ceramic production in form, glaze, and design in the early, mid-, and late Ming dynasty. The exhibition continues the spotlight on Chinese ceramics, building on the inaugural exhibition of “Clay to Treasure: Ceramics from the Palace Museum Collection” at the HKPM. Apart from the 106 ceramic treasures from the Palace Museum, the exhibition will showcase seven exhibits from the generous donations to HKPM by Mr Lawrence Chan, Owner of the Dawentang Collection, and Mr Anthony Cheung, Owner of the Huaihaitang Collection.
The Ming dynasty was a golden age of Chinese ceramics. Ming dynasty ceramics are remarkable works of art, distinguished by their quality and diversity. They tell stories of the imperial court, technological advances, and cultural exchanges. Imperial kilns were founded at Jingdezhen in Jiangxi province in 1369 to produce pieces for the exclusive use by the court, which imposed strict control over the management of the kilns. As a result of imperial patronage, Ming emperors influenced porcelain production and style. Ming potters, continuing the legacy of their predecessors, perfected their craft and sought to break new ground. As powerful vehicles of cultural exchange, Ming ceramics were widely traded, admired, and copied, generating a craze for Chinese porcelains around the globe.
Luo Xianliang, Deputy Director of the Palace Museum, said, "As the Hong Kong Palace Museum celebrates its second anniversary, the Palace Museum is delighted to co-organise this extraordinary exhibition spotlighting Ming dynasty ceramics. Ming dynasty ceramics have left a significant mark on the history of craftsmanship across the world. This exhibition not only showcases the magnificent artistic achievements featured in the Palace Museum’s collection but also encapsulates the history of the Ming dynasty and the wisdom of ceramic artisans. Visitors are invited to experience the charm and depth of the art of Chinese ceramics.”
Winnie Tam, Chairman of the HKPM Board, said, “The production of ceramics reached its peak during the Ming dynasty, generating a worldwide craze for Chinese ceramics and leading to substantial cultural exchanges and mutual learning. This exhibition holds great significance as it exemplifies the mission of the Hong Kong Palace Museum to promote the study and appreciation of Chinese culture and art, as well as to advance dialogue among world civilisations. We are very honoured to collaborate with the Palace Museum and leverage Hong Kong’s unique position as a global gateway for promoting Chinese art and culture. I would also like to express my gratitude to the donors of the HKPM, Mr Lawrence Chan and Mr Anthony Cheung, for their generous support for the museum and the exhibition.”
“Brilliance” features 106 newly loaned masterpieces from the Palace Museum, alongside 7 pieces from the HKPM collection. Most of these treasures of the Palace Museum are on display in Hong Kong for the first time. Among them are 21 grade-one national treasures, including a pear-shaped vase with a “Three Friends of Winter” decoration from the Hongwu period, a dish with dragons among waves from the Zhengtong period, a cup with garden scenes in autumn from the Chenghua period, and a garlic-mouth bottle with birds and flowers among lotus ponds from the Wanli period. Organised in three sections, the exhibition explores the development and the outstanding achievements of ceramic production in form, glaze, and design in the early, mid-, and late Ming dynasty:
- The early Ming dynasty (Hongwu to Xuande periods, 1368–1435) was the golden age of blue-and-white porcelain, which is known for its fine body and glaze, as well as intensely blue decorations. The Yongle and Xuande wares of monochrome copper red and cobalt blue also exemplified the sophistication of Ming ceramic technology. The elegant and subdued “sweet white” porcelains of the Yongle period were often compared to translucent and lustrous white jade.
- During the mid-Ming dynasty (Zhengtong to Zhengde periods, 1436–1521), the ceramics displayed representative features, including enameled doucai wares as well as blue-and-white porcelains known for their subtle colours and delicate thin bodies during the Chenghua period. Monochrome wares with bright yellow enamel and porcelains with green-enameled designs were representative of the Hongzhi period. Thick-bodied blue-and-white wares with greyish-blue designs stood out during the Zhengde period.
- During the late Ming dynasty (Jiajing to Wanli periods, 1522–1620), the porcelain industry flourished at Jingdezhen and the folk kilns greatly expanded. Their porcelains became more diverse and inventive in form and design, and skilled artisans succeeded in firing impressively large vessels, despite their proneness to distortion. The late Ming also saw further development of the “five colour” technique. Porcelain designs became highly innovative and distinctive in the late Ming reflecting the influence of the emperors’ preferences. For example, the Jiajing Emperor (1507–1567) was a devout Daoist, and the wares made for his court were often adorned with Daoist symbols of longevity, including cranes and the eight trigrams. The Wanli Emperor (1563–1620) was a follower of Buddhism; many imperial wares produced during his reign bore lotuses, beaded garlands, and other Buddhist motifs.
A series of educational programmes will enhance understanding of Ming dynasty ceramics
Visitors who enjoy hands-on crafting experiences are encouraged to take part in a ceramics workshop and create ceramic pieces inspired by the exhibition. The Museum will also organise public talks where curators of the exhibition as well as other specialists will share their insights into the historical significance and regional impact of imperial porcelain in the Ming dynasty. More details regarding exhibition-related activities will be announced in due course. Please refer to the HKPM website for more information.
“Brilliance: Ming Dynasty Ceramic Treasures from the Palace Museum, 1368–1644” will open to the public tomorrow (10 July 2024) in Gallery 3 of the HKPM. Visitors can access this exhibition with a General Admission ticket (admission to Galleries 1 to 7) or a Special Exhibition ticket (admission to Galleries 1 to 7 and to Gallery 8 and/or Gallery 9). Tickets are now available for sale or reservation through the West Kowloon Cultural District’s online ticketing platforms and ticketing partners.
Remarks
About the Hong Kong Palace Museum
The Hong Kong Palace Museum aspires to be a leading cultural institution committed to the study and appreciation of Chinese art and culture while advancing dialogue among world civilisations. The Hong Kong Palace Museum is a collaborative project between the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and the Palace Museum. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust made a donation of HK$3.5 billion for its establishment, as well as some of the annual exhibitions and education programmes in 2023–2031.
Embracing new curatorial approaches, the Museum offers a Hong Kong perspective and a global vision, presenting the finest objects from the Palace Museum and other important cultural institutions around the world. Through research, exhibitions, and educational and professional exchange programmes, the Museum will build international partnerships and help position Hong Kong as a global hub for art and culture. At heart a resource that belongs to the community of Hong Kong, the Museum will inspire community engagement, foster dialogue, and promote creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration.
About the West Kowloon Cultural District
The West Kowloon Cultural District is one of the largest and most ambitious cultural projects in the world. Its vision is to create a vibrant new cultural quarter for Hong Kong on 40 hectares of reclaimed land located alongside Victoria Harbour. With a varied mix of theatres, performance spaces, and museums, the West Kowloon Cultural District will produce and host world-class exhibitions, performances, and cultural events, providing 23 hectares of public open space, including a two-kilometre waterfront promenade.
https://www.westkowloon.hk/
