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Potted and Painted: The Production and Technical Development of Underglaze Blue Porcelain in China


  • University Museum and Art Gallery, The University of Hong Kong 90 Bonham Road Lung Fu Shan, Hong Kong Island Hong Kong SAR China (map)

The University Museum and Art Gallery of the University of Hong Kong is honoured to present Potted and Painted: The Production and Technical Development of Underglaze Blue Porcelain in China. For over a millennium, Chinese potters have produced highly sought-after objects decorated in blue and white. The blue pigment was historically produced from cobalt that was painted over an off-white-coloured ceramic clay. As technology has improved over time, ceramic materials have become progressively more refined and whiter in appearance.

As the production of ceramics grew in scale, the kiln size increased and potters began to make larger objects that were significant both for their size and inherent value as part of the Yuan dynasty tradition of decorating in this particular—now world-famous—colour scheme. Steeped in tradition, the technique continued to develop and modernise as the colours became clearer and the lines better defined.

Details of the Exhibition
Period: March 10, 2023 (Friday) to July 30, 2023 (Sunday)
Opening Hours:
9:30 am–6:00 pm (Tuesday to Saturday)
1:00 pm–6:00 pm (Sunday)
Closed on Mondays, University and Public Holidays
Venue: Study Gallery, G/F, Fung Ping Shan Building, UMAG, HKU, 90 Bonham Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
Tel/Email: (852) 2241 5500 (General Enquiry) / museum@hku.hk
Admission: Free
Website: https://umag.hku.hk/exhibition/potted-and-painted/

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March 4

Eternal Offerings: Chinese Ritual Bronzes

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March 11

Splendors of the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana and Rare Books from the Ming and Qing Imperial Libraries