Hong Kong Palace Museum | HKPM Special Exhibition Talk Series: Elegant Accoutrements—Stories of Vanity Cases

After World War I, Western society became swept up in a renewed appetite for life and a surge of optimism. With changing notions of womanhood, more women began to challenge social codes, engaging in activities that had long been considered vulgar and inappropriate for a respectable lady. Applying makeup in public was one such act of female autonomy, and women asserted their style and new-found freedom through their use of cosmetics. Jewellers responded to women’s demands by designing elegant vanity cases and powder compacts, crafted to contain items befitting their new lifestyles.

Yau Sum Yin, Assistant Curator of the Hong Kong Palace Museum and curator of the special exhibition “Cartier and Women”, will use a number of exhibits as case studies to illustrate the stories of these bejewelled accoutrements and how they demonstrate the jeweller’s ingenious craftsmanship. Ms Yau will also explore some of the sources of inspiration designers drew on when they championed new styles, materials, and colours.

This talk accompanies the special exhibition “Cartier and Women” in Gallery 8, on view from 14 April through 14 August 2023 at the Museum. As the first major exhibition on the unique role and influence of women in the history of Cartier, it showcases around three hundred stunning treasures created by Cartier, including precious jewellery, timepieces, objects, accessories, and archival records from the nineteenth century to the present day, and illustrates the impact of Chinese aesthetics on the development of women’s lifestyles and global fashion. This exhibition is organised and curated by the Hong Kong Palace Museum with the support of Cartier.

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