Hong Kong Palace Museum | The International Symposium on Imperial Workshops of the Qing Court: Objects and Archives

The International Symposium on Imperial Workshops of the Qing Court: Objects and Archives (7–8 October 2026) is co-organised by the Art Museum of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Art Museum of CUHK) and the Hong Kong Palace Museum. Highlighting new research of the past two decades, this symposium explores the role of archival research in the study of Qing dynasty court objects. By bringing text and object into dialogue, scholars are gaining a better understanding of the issues of dating, production, display, storage, and function of court objects, as well as the management of the Imperial Household Department, the organisation of the Imperial Workshops, and the aesthetic tastes of the emperors.

As China’s last dynasty, the Qing dynasty brought the court culture of the preceding dynasties to its zenith. For more than two centuries, the Imperial Household Department oversaw the production of a vast quantity and wide variety of objects. The field-changing publication of the Archives from the Imperial Workshops of the Imperial Household Department in 2005, compiled by The First Historical Archives of China and the Art Museum of CUHK, has provided a crucial reference for understanding the design and production of Qing imperial objects. In recent years, with the continued publication, collation, and digitalisation of Qing court archives and images, research on Qing court art has deepened significantly through new and diverse approaches. From microfilm to facsimiles, databases and artificial intelligence, ways of engaging with archival materials continue to evolve.

With the goal of advancing curatorial and scholarly research on Qing court art, the Symposium coincides with two major Qing court art exhibitions — “The Qianlong Emperor: A Legacy in Art, The Huaihaitang Collection” at the Art Museum of CUHK (15 June–18 October 2026); and “Design for the Forbidden City: Imperial Workshops of the Qing Court” at the Hong Kong Palace Museum (opening on 30 September 2026).

Symposium rundown

About the Art Museum of the Chinese University of Hong Kong

Established in 1971, the Art Museum of the Chinese University of Hong Kong is dedicated to education, research, and exhibitions. Through its collections, exhibitions, publications, outreach, and educational programmes, the Museum aims to enrich the cultural experiences of the community and help realise the goals of the University. With the inauguration of Lo Kwee Seong Pavilion in March 2025, an extension of the Museum and a new landmark on campus, the Art Museum of CUHK strives to integrate art-making, curating, and teaching while diversifying and enriching the museum experience for a broader audience. In addition to a new exhibition space, the Harold and Christina Lee Gallery, the Lee Hysan Atrium at the new wing features a bookshop and a boutique café, Ideaology. Visitors can now enjoy exhibitions while savouring coffee and books, all amidst the natural beauty of CUHK’s campus.

About the Hong Kong Palace Museum

Through innovative curatorial approaches, the Hong Kong Palace Museum presents priceless treasures from the Palace Museum along with the finest collections from other world-renowned cultural institutions. The Museum is also actively building up its own collection. Opening in 2022, the Museum is a leading institution for the study and appreciation of Chinese art and culture and the promotion of dialogue among world civilisations. The Museum is a collaborative project between the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and the Palace Museum.

Through research, exhibitions, publications, and educational and professional exchange programmes, the Museum builds international partnerships and positions Hong Kong as a global hub for art and culture. A resource that belongs to the local community, the Museum inspires community engagement, fosters dialogue, and promotes creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration.

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