Exhibition "Treasures of Hong Kong: 20th Anniversary of Hong Kong's Handover" was displayed at the Capital Museum from September 30, 2017 - December 3, 2017 in Beijing.

Here is the review and the introduction:

Preface

Collection is part of human nature designed to meet certain practical or spiritual needs, such as appreciation, study and remembrance. From the Paleolithic Era,individual ornaments bone beads and gravel collection, to the Qing Dynasty's magnificent royal collections, such collection activities have always accompanied human development.

This current collection has evolved from people's original interest in collecting and studying bronze ware and stone carvings in the Song Dynasty. The rise of epigraphy led to the collection, appreciation and research of ancient objects. Liu Chang's "Pre-Qin Stele Engraved with Antiquities", Ouyang Xiu's "Collection of Antiques", Zhao Mingcheng's "Bronze and Stone Inscriptions", Lv Dafen's "Illustrated Antiques" and other works show the literati's great passion for collection and appreciation in the Song Dynasty. In the more recent Ming and Qing dynasties, a vintage style was popular not only among emperors, officials, the aristocracy and the literati, but also among some merchants, well-off families and even among common people.

Hong Kong, the "Oriental Pearl", is athriving international metropolis. Since the 1980's and 1990's, Hong Kong has become one of the world's three major art trade centers. With the creation of the "one country, two systems" policy, and a favorable geographical position - backed by Chinese mainland and facing the world, Hong Kong plays an important role in the field of private collection around the world.

Appreciation is an attitude, collection is a way of life. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong to the motherland, this exhibition enables us to see magnificent collections of Hong Kong.

PartⅠ Pure bright glaze porcelain

In the history of China's porcelain, green- glazed porcelain was the first to appear. In the Tang Dynasty, with the initial flourishing of Yue kiln celadon in the south, and the appearance of mature white porcelain in the north, a situation of "South Green - North White" formed. From the Yuan Dynasty, Jingdezhen fully developed the production of glazed porcelain. By the time of the Ming Dynasty, there were green, white, red, black, blue, yellow, green and other kinds of glazed porcelain. In the Qing Dynasty, the craft of glazed porcelain was advanced in regard to the creation of unadulterated and stable color, whether in red glaze colored by copper oxide at a high temperature, such as cowpea red, altar red and Lang kiln red, in green glaze colored by iron oxide, such as azure, holly and powder green, in celeste blue glaze colored by cobalt oxide, and in low-melting glaze such as yellow and green glaze. 

Part Ⅱ Beautiful blue and white porcelain

Blue and white porcelain is a brilliant flower flourishing in the long history of Chinese porcelain. Using cobalt as a colorant, a craftsman paints on the porcelain body before glazing it, and then fires it at a high temperature. Owing to its white body, pure transparent glaze, elegant cobalt blue pattern, it has become a mysterious sign of the East, a carrier of the great Chinese spirit, a top seller overseas and a favorite across Eurasia.

Part Ⅲ Painted porcelain

The Qing Dynasty, especially during the imperial reigns of Kangxi, Qianlong and Yongzheng, saw the economy and national strength reach a new peak. A series of reform measures took place, for example, the"artisan household system"was abolished, the "government order, people fire"system resumed, and emperors selected officials to be in charge of porcelain management. As a result, the Jingdezhen royal porcelain kiln made important innovative breakthroughs in style, pattern and color, bringing its development into a climax.

Epilogue

This year marks the 20thanniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. Twenty years of experience has proved the greatness of the conceptof "one country, two systems". Chinese mainland and Hong Kong are closely related and mutually dependent.Deeper exchanges and cooperation represent an irresistible trend. In addition to its brilliance and elegance, something even more precious is hidden behind the collection stories and the feelings of traditional culture. As you wander around the exhibition, reveling in the creative beauty, do you not feel a sense of inspiration about the current era?

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