Virtuous Treasures ~ Chinese Jades

Tuesday, 13 November 2007 23:19

HONG KONG - The University Museum and Art Gallery of The University of Hong Kong is delighted to announce an important exhibition of Chinese jades reflecting Chinese scholarly taste. On exhibition 17 November 2007 to 17 February 2008.

Featuring over 140 jades, dating mostly to the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), this exhibition brings together for the first time jades from several private collections, alongside examples from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and the Art Museum of the Chinese University of Hong Kong to illustrate the extraordinary achievements of the jade carvers art. The exhibits include small fondling items carved into pleasingly tactile forms that were carried around to bring delight and inspiration to their owners; specially-commissioned items bearing the mark of individual artists such as Lu Zigang of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644); and monumental jades imitating mountains or ritual bronze vessels that declared not only the taste but also the wealth of their owners.

Jade is unique in the history of Chinese culture and Chinese art in that it has always been recognised as a material out of the ordinary. As early as the Neolithic period, jade was created into enigmatic forms suggestive of solemn ritual items. Ever since that time, jade has remained a material reserved only for the most significant or momentous occasions. This was compounded by the sheer difficulty of obtaining and working jade, which made objects created from it both costly and labour intensive, with a single piece taking many months to complete.

Some of the highlights of this exhibition feature the unmistakable taste and connoisseurship of the Qing emperors, with a selection bearing imperial marks. Ever since the Warring States period in China (475-221 BCE), the qualities of this precious stone have been associated with the qualities of an ideal gentleman: pure, constant and incorruptible. While some of the jades in this exhibition suggest a practical function, many more reflect particular personal or philosophical concerns, shedding light on the private interior lives of scholars, artists, and officials, a role best exemplified by the emperors themselves.

The exhibition opening will take place on Friday 16 November at 6:00 pm. Mr. Jonathan Stone, International Business Director, Asian Art, Christie's; Mr. Kevin Ching, Chief Executive Officer, Asia, Sotheby's; and Professor Lap-Chee Tsui, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong will officiate.

The exhibition will also be accompanied by a fully-illustrated catalogue with scholarly essays, available from the Museum in December 2007.

Exhibition sponsored by Bonhams, Christie's and Sotheby's

The Museum's opening hours are Monday to Saturday 9:30 am to 6:00 pm; Sundays 1:30 to 5:30 pm. Closed University and public holidays. Admission is free. All are welcome. Please call 2241 5512 or visit our website www.hku.hk/hkumag for more details.