Bulletin Number Two 1987

featured in the exhibition were all selected from the Palace collection and can be grouped under three categories: native products, foreign articles, and decorative pieces. The first category, native products from Guangdong, included coconut shell bowls, fans, Duanxi inkstones, etc. The second category, made up of European goods imported through Guangzhou, included telescopes, sundial and snuff and snuffboxes, etc. The last category consisted o f ivory carvings, enamelwares ， potted landscapes, clocks, painted glass and screens, etc. Of special note were the enamelwares, which were well represented by close to one-third of the total number o f exhibits in the various techniques o f cloisonn é , champlev é , basse-taille and painted enamels. This fact establishes Guangzhou as a major centre for the production o f enamelwares in the Qing Dynasty. The imposing zitan screen fitted w ith enamel panels testified to the monumental scale achieved by the Guangdong craftsmen, whereas the ivory gourd- shaped pomander, measuring only 7 cm in length and 4 cm in width, fascinated the viewers w ith the intricacy o f the openwork design. The painted enamel box w ith fit-in trays inside was a rare example marked by delicacy of decorative pattern and richness in colour. Alongside these exhibits, relevant presentation lists and tribute files, on loan from the First Historical Archives o f China, were also on display. The rare items exhibited provided first-hand material for the study o f the tribute system o f the Qing Dynasty and the arts and handicrafts o f Guang dong. A fu lly illustrated catalogue o f 140 pages, w ith all plates in colour, has been published. The intro duction to the catalogue is a long article by Mr. Yang Boda, who discusses in detail the characteristics o f tri butes from local officials of Guangdong, the influence o f foreign technology on the handicrafts o f this pro vince and the status o f Guangdong handicrafts and their contribution to the decorative arts o f the Qing Dynasty. Mr. Yang was also invited to give a lecture on '18th-century Decorative Arts w ith Guangdong Artist's Marks from the Qing Imperial Household Workshop' on 2nd March at the Institute o f Chinese Studies. (Upper right) Clock w ith mechanical figures; Qianlong reign, Qing Dynasty (Lower right) Painted enamel you w ith handle and tao-tie pattern; Qianlong reign, Qing Dynasty NEWS 11