A new exhibition, "Canton Export Lacquerwares in the Qing Dynasty," will open at the Guangdong Museum on November 27, 2025. Featuring approximately 120 pieces from the museum's collection and other institutions, the display explores the craftsmanship and cultural exchange behind lacquerwares made in Guangdong for Western markets during the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911).
From delicately decorated folding fans and sewing tables to ornate cabinets and screens, the objects reflect a period when Guangzhou (Canton) served as a key hub in global trade networks. European trade was restricted to the port of Guangzhou during the Qing Dynasty, and locally made lacquerware became highly sought-after in 18th and 19th-century Europe.
Craftsmen in Guangzhou adapted styles to suit foreign tastes, creating pieces featuring floral patterns, family coats of arms, and even biblical scenes. Western demand shaped everything from motifs to forms, with common items including tea caddies, snuff boxes, and decorative game boards, often finished with gold tracing on a black lacquer background.
The exhibition also highlights how these luxury goods traveled west. Records note that the French ship Amphitrite, which sailed from Guangzhou in 1700, carried 36 decorative lacquer screens, helping fuel a European trend for "Chinoiserie."
By the 19th century, the city hosted thousands of shops specializing in export goods. The trade not only showcased local craftsmanship but also created a lasting cultural dialogue.
Date
November 27, 2025 – May 17, 2026
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:00 PM)
Closed on Mondays (Except for national holidays)
Venue: Exhibition Hall 3, 3rd Floor, Guangdong Museum
Admission: Free (Advance booking required)
Author | Feng Huiting
Photo | Guangdong Museum
Editor | Liu Lingzhi, James Campion, Shen He
