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CUHK Art Museum’s Gold Exhibition Unveils Ancient Chinese Gold Techniques
The exhibition Golden Techniques II: Art of the Chinese Goldsmiths, co-organised by The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)’s Art Museum and the Chow Tai Fook Master Studio, will run until 21 May 2023. All members of the public are welcome, and admission is free.
This exhibition sheds light on three major techniques: gold and silver inlay, damascene, and the production and use of gold wire, alongside hammer-chiselling, casting and precision gold soldering. More than 60 pieces have been selected from the Art Museum of CUHK and private collections for the exhibition. It will also include several experimental restorations and early gold jewellery pieces provided by the Chow Tai Fook Master Studio, with scientific test results from the Conservation Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of Hong Kong. Through the perspectives of art history, archaeology, scientific testing and experimental restoration, the exhibition will introduce ancient Chinese gold craftsmanship spanning 3,500 years.
Visitors can learn more at an interactive zone and watch a series of videos to get a good grasp of the goldwork techniques. In addition, a series of gold workshops co-organised by the Art Museum of CUHK and the Chow Tai Fook Master Studio in April and May will allow the public to experience gold craftsmanship at first hand. Veteran masters of gold and jewellery from Chow Tai Fook will introduce gold craftsmanship and guide participants in making chains and gold inlays. By the end of the workshops, participants will be able to create accessories using ancient techniques. Further information about the workshops will be released via the CUHK Art Museum’s website and social platforms.
Since 2014, the Art Museum of CUHK, the Chow Tai Fook Master Studio and several other institutions have run a research project on ancient Chinese gold craftsmanship, which involves comprehensive multidisciplinary investigation. The research has entered its second phase since 2018, focusing on the major goldwork techniques mentioned above. This exhibition is a showcase of the results of this phase. The project has also published a book about its research, in the hope of sharing precious knowledge of ancient gold techniques.
Ms. Sonia Cheng Chi-man, Vice-chairman and Executive Director of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group and Council Member of the CUHK expressed, “This collaboration with CUHK is an important showcase of how business-academic partnerships can play a significant role in reviving the curiosity and interest of Chinese gold craftsmanship traditions to the public. The exhibit pieces fully demonstrate decades of expertise and the passionate pursuit of perfection of Chow Tai Fook jewellery masters as well as the valuable research contributed by CUHK.”
The research project and exhibition series “Ancient Chinese Gold Techniques” are fully sponsored by Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, promoting and preserving the legacy of ancient art techniques and cultures. Chow Tai Fook plans to further cultivate, develop and preserve the history and culture of jewellery through various projects.
Details of the exhibition
Golden Techniques II: Art of the Chinese Goldsmiths
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Period: |
24 February – 21 May 2023 |
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Venue: |
Gallery I, Art Museum, CUHK |
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Opening hours: |
Please visit the museum’s website |
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Enquiries: |
3943-7416 |
For more details, please visit the museum’s website or Facebook page.
Please download exhibition photos from https://bit.ly/3xscC9u
(From left) Dr Sam Tong Yu, Research Associate, Art Museum, CUHK, and curator of the exhibition Golden Techniques II; Professor Josh Yiu Chun-chong, Director, Art Museum, CUHK; Mr Lai Wing-fai, Curator, Public Records Office; Professor Alan Chan Kam-leung, Provost, CUHK; Ms Sonia Cheng Chi-man, Vice-chairman and Executive Director of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, and Council Member, CUHK; Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President, CUHK; Mr Kent Wong Siu-kee, Managing Director, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group; Mr Anthony Cheung, Chairman, Art Museum Advisory Committee, CUHK; Ms Carol Tang Man-wai, Assistant Curator I, Conservation Office; and Professor Xu Xiaodong, Associate Director, Art Museum, CUHK, and project leader of “Ancient Chinese Gold Techniques”
Exhibition poster for Golden Techniques II: Art of the Chinese Goldsmiths
Belt Hook with Gold and Silver Inlay and Embedded Turquoise
Late Warring States
De-Neng-Tang Collection
Belt Hook with Gold and Silver Inlay and Embedded Glass Beads
Late Warring States
Collection of the Art Museum, CUHK
Acc. no.: 2022.0054
Gift from Prof. Yeh Lih-Seng
Iron Belt Hook with Gold and Silver Inlay
Late Warring States
Collection of the Art Museum, CUHK
Acc. no.: 2017.0014
Gift from Muwen Tang
Bronze Brazier with Gold and Silver Damascene and Beast Face Motif
Late Ming
Collection of Mr. Lee King Fun, Andrew
Iron Ding-Shaped Incense Burner with Gold Damascene and Bird Motifs
Late Ming
Mark reading “Made in the Xuande Period of Great Ming”
Xian Qu Xuan Collection
Gold Pendant Earrings
3rd – 6th Centuries, Xianbei
Chengxuntang Collection
Gold Pendant with Flower Design and Turquoise Bead
Yuan – Early Ming
Chengxuntang Collection
Gold Wire Hat
Late Ming
Chengxuntang Collection
Gold Sheet Ornament with Joined Bird and Beast Shape
Late Spring and Autumn–Middle Warring States (Zhongshan state of the Xianyu people)
Collection of the Art Museum, CUHK
Acc. no.: 1990.0168
Gift from Bei Shan Tang
Gold Ornaments with Floral design
Tang, Kaiyuan period
Chengxuntang Collection
