A Tale of Three Cities: Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Export of Silk Products in the Ming and Qing Dynasties

“A Tale of Three Cities: Guangdong - Hong Kong - Macao Greater Bay Area and Export of Silk Products in the Ming and Qing Dynasties” Talks

An Introduction to Silk Textiles

One of the greatest contributions of Chinese to world civilisation was the invention of silk. From ancient times, Chinese silk served as a tribute for the imperial court, as well as a popular luxury item overseas. In this talk, the speaker will introduce the history, weaving structures and characteristics of different types of silk such as ling (綾 twill damask), luo (羅 gauze), chou (綢 silk tabby), duan (緞 satin), brocade (錦), and kesi (緙絲 weft-woven silk tapestry) with objects of Chinese textiles drawn from the speaker’s private collection. She will also look at the art of embroidery exported from Canton during the Ming and Qing dynasties to uncover the cultural exchange between China and the West by examining the unique patterns and motifs on textiles.

Date︰2023.11.25（Saturday）
Time︰2:30 – 4:30 pm
Venue：Lecture Hall, B/F, Hong Kong Museum of Art
Speaker︰Ms. Lee Mei-yin (Museum Expert Adviser)
Language：Cantonese
Fee：Free admission
Seats：150

*Enrolment is not required. The Lecture Hall will be open for admission 15 minutes before the event commences. Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

About the Speaker:
Ms. Lee Mei-yin is currently a Special Researcher at Dunhuang Academy, Vice-Chairman of the Friends of Dunhuang (Hong Kong), and Museum Expert Adviser of Leisure and Cultural Services Department. She specialises in the history of Chinese silk and Dunhuang art.


China’s Silk Exports in the Era of the Thirteen Factories of Canton (programme has ended)

China is the birthplace of silk. Throughout history, Chinese silk was exported from China on both overland and maritime trade routes connecting China to the rest of the world. During the Qing dynasty, the Thirteen Factories of Canton monopolized the export trade of silk, porcelain and tea. Silk, the second-most important export commodity after tea, came in a vast variety of types and styles for use in many ways. This talk will explore various Chinese export textiles and their role in East-West cultural exchange, focusing on the exhibits in the exhibition “A Tale of Three Cities”.

Date︰2023.10.28（Saturday）
Time︰2:30 – 4:30pm
Venue：Lecture Hall, B/F, Hong Kong Museum of Art
Speaker︰Dr. Bai Fang (Director of the Exhibition Centre of the Guangdong Museum)

About the Speaker:
Dr. Bai Fong obtained a PhD in History from Sun Yat-sen University. She is currently a researcher and Director of the Exhibition Centre of the Guangdong Museum. Her research focuses mainly on the Maritime Silk Road and China trade art in the 18th and 19th centuries.