2024/12/26

A special exhibition will be held at the Hong Kong Palace Museum from December 2024, 12.exhibition "The Forbidden City and the Palace of Versailles: The Encounter of Sino-French Culture in the 17th and 18th Centuries" is a collaboration between the Hong Kong Palace Museum and the Palace of Versailles to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. This exhibition brings together for the first time in Hong Kong nearly 150 precious treasures from the two World Heritage sites that have influenced and traveled between the two cities.

Forbidden City © The Palace Museum
Palace of Versailles © The Palace of Versailles /T. Garnier

The museum's curatorial and conservation team meticulously checked the condition of the exhibits before installing them in this exhibition, which features extremely rare and priceless treasures.

© The Palace Museum

The exhibition explores the rich history of exchanges and mutual inspiration between the Chinese and French courts in culture, the arts, science and beyond from the late 17th to the 18th centuries. The exhibition features a wide range of royal portraits, exquisite porcelain, glassware, enamel, textiles, books and scientific instruments. The exhibits include nine first-class Chinese national treasures from the Palace Museum and recent acquisitions from the collection of the Palace of Versailles. Many of these precious pieces will be on display in Hong Kong for the first time.


A work that represents the exchange of techniques and aesthetic sensibilities between China and France

Hong Kong Palace MuseumTreasures highlights:

© The Palace Museum

Chrysanthemum Vase (1783)The chrysanthemum pot (1783)】
"Chrysanthemum Vase Made in France for China" was long thought to have been made in Guangdong province and presented by an official to Emperor Qianlong (reigned 1736-1795). However, experts from the Palace Museum recently discovered a small red inscription reading "Coteau," revealing that the vase was made by the famous French enamelist Joseph Coteau (1740-1812).

 

© The Palace Museum

[Quivers and Bow Cases The quiver and bow case】
The symmetrical "lace pattern" quiver and bow case made of French fabric for storing bows and arrows is believed to have been made between 1736 and 1795. This type of brocade was popular in France in the 1720s. China was a major producer of silk at this time, and exported large quantities of Chinese silk to France, where it was very popular among the French people. The Qing court also experimented with the production of silk fabrics incorporating French silk patterns, proving that silk was an important medium of cultural exchange between China and France.


Discover the treasures of the Palace of Versailles:

© The Palace of Versailles / Christophe Fouin

[The perfume fountain (1736–1743)]
It illustrates how Chinese porcelain was collected and decorated at the French court. Originally placed in a royal wardrobe, it is the only Chinese porcelain known to have belonged to Louis XV (r. 15-1715). It was made by ceramists in Jingdezhen, China. The elaborate gilded bronze base is thought to have been made in France based on sketches by French artisans. In its flamboyant French Rococo style, it testifies to the important cultural exchange and fusion between China and France.

© The Palace of Versailles / Christophe Fouin

[Portrait of Emperor Qianlong on a ceramic panel (1776)The portrait of the Qianlong Emperor on porcelain plaque (1776)】
It was based on a painting by Giuseppe Panzi (1733-1812), an Italian Jesuit missionary to the Chinese Qing Dynasty court. The portrait on a ceramic panel was produced by the Sèvres manufactory in France under royal patronage. King Louis XVI (r. 16-1774) had the ceramic piece displayed in his study at Versailles in 1792. He later acquired a copy and reportedly presented it as a diplomatic gift to the Qianlong emperor.

 

In this way, you can see the treasures used in the exchange between the Forbidden City and the Palace of Versailles from an interesting perspective. Be sure to visit. Until May 2025, XNUMX.


In conjunction with this exhibition, the museum will host public talks, family workshops, learning activities, and more that combine interactive theater and art to transport participants back in time to the era of Emperor Kangxi and Louis XIV during the exhibition. Details of the learning activities and programs will be announced on the museum's website and social media pages, so please keep an eye out.

"Forbidden City and the Palace of Versailles" runs from December 2024, 12 to May 18, 2025
– Gallery 9, Hong Kong Palace Museum
– Tickets are HK$150 for adults and HK$75 for students and seniors
Full access tickets (HK$180 for adults, HK$90 for students and seniors) allow visitors to view this exhibition, the Origins of Chinese Civilisation exhibition (Gallery XNUMX), and other thematic exhibitions (Galleries XNUMX-XNUMX) on the same day.
- Tickets: Available through the West Kowloon Cultural District online ticketing platform, ticketing partners or pre-orders.
– For details,HKPM website

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