Hong Kong Palace Museum

There are seemingly few universals, but the impulse to wear jewellery is one of them. Throughout time and across cultures, jewellery has served as an extension and amplification of the body. It is an essential feature of the performances that make us human, from rituals of death or marriage, celebrations and battles. This talk will explore what jewellery does to and for us, dispelling the notion that it merely sits upon the body as frivolous ornament. Whether we use jewellery to quell fears, arouse desire or provoke admiration, the very act of adornment is one of the most complicated and meaningful activities human beings engage in.

This talk accompanies the special exhibition “Treasures of Global Jewellery from The Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Body Transformed”, which will be on view in Gallery 8 at the Hong Kong Palace Museum from 15 April to 19 October 2026. The exhibition is jointly organised by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, Cathay and American Express are the Major Sponsors of the exhibition.

The talk will be livestreamed on the online platforms of the HKPM WeChat Channels, as well as Museum Headlines.

Jointly organised by:

Major sponsors:

Details

Date	15 April 2026 (Wednesday)
Time	5:30 pm–6:30 pm
Venue	The Hong Kong Jockey Club Auditorium, Hong Kong Palace Museum
Tickets	Free admission. Online registration recommended. The talk will be livestreamed on the online platforms of the HKPM Wechat Channels, as well as Museum Headlines.
Language	English, with simultaneous interpretation in Putonghua; no subtitles

Speaker

Dr Melanie Holcomb

Curator and Manager of Collection Strategy, Department of Medieval Art and The Cloisters
The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Registration

15 April 2026 (Wednesday) 5:30 pm–6:30 pm Register

Remarks

Ticketing arrangements: Registration for this event does not include entry to the Museum’s exhibitions. To visit the exhibitions, please click here to purchase an admission ticket.

Enquiries

Programme Enquiries:
[email protected]

Access Service

Hong Kong Sign Language (HKSL) interpretation can be arranged for events by emailing [email protected] 14 days in advance of the event. If you have specific accessibility needs, please get in touch with us.

Adverse Weather Arrangement

Amber or Red Rainstorm Warning / Typhoon Signal No. 1 or 3

If the signal is in force within three hours prior to the start of the event, the event will take place as scheduled.
If the signal is hoisted during the event, the event will continue. If it cannot proceed as planned, rescheduling or refund arrangements will be announced in due course.

Black Rainstorm Warning Signal

If the signal is in force within three hours prior to the start of the event, the event will be cancelled. Rescheduling or refund arrangements will be announced in due course.
If the signal is hoisted during the event, the event will continue.

Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above

If the signal is in force within three hours prior to the start of the event, the event will be cancelled. Rescheduling or refund arrangements will be announced in due course.
If the signal is hoisted during the event, the event will be suspended. Rescheduling or refund arrangements will be announced in due course.

The Hong Kong Palace Museum reserves the right to reschedule or cancel events with or without refunding participants.

Hong Kong Palace Museum | “Treasures of Global Jewellery from The Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Body Transformed” Special Exhibition Talk| The Secret Life of Jewellery

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“Treasures of Global Jewellery from The Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Body Transformed” Special Exhibition Talk| The Secret Life of Jewellery

Details

Speaker

Dr Melanie Holcomb

Dr Melanie Holcomb

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