How would women live differently between the past and the present? A selection of 118 female-related artefacts from the Nanjing Museum are shown in Hong Kong for the first time. The exhibition is divided into four themes introducing ancient women's appearance, daily life, talents, and images portrayed in famous paintings. The exquisite artefacts illustrate the legendary stories of ancient women. Visitors may explore the make-up tips of the ladies in the Han dynasty, the graceful postures of Tang dynasty dancers, the romances of Qinhuai courtesans in the late Ming dynasty, and the Qing empress climbing to ladder to success.

The ingenuity of the talented women is embodied by the textile and embroidery works and the calligraphy and paintings. The exquisite embroidery works by Shen Shou and Ling Zhu, and the paintings by Li Yin and Ma Quan are rare treasures. Throughout history, the women's legends tug at the heartstrings; and famous paintings, such as Li Duanduan by Tang Yin, Portrait of Kou Baimen by Fan Qi and Portrait of Dong Xiaowan by Zhou Xu, enable these stories to be told over generations. In addition, a 13-meter-long scroll, Ancient court ladies at leisure, and Leisure time of aristocratic family by court painter Yang Jin weave the imaginative and realistic images of the court ladies to illustrate their everyday life and leisure activities. The magnificent artefacts and multimedia displays invite visitors to travel through times and explore the stories of the extraordinary women. Let's ponder upon the past and imagine the future.

PROGRAMME

Speaker: English speaking docent from Hong Kong Heritage Museum

Time: 4:30pm - 5:30pm  (RASHK group will gather at 4:15pm at the lobby)

Admission:  Free of charge.  RASHK members only. Limited capacity and preregistration required. 

Registration: Please email membership@royalasiaticsociety.org.hk and provide your membership number, if applicable, at the time of registration.

Registration will be closed at 12 noon on 17 Feb (Friday).