Exhibition “Stately Demeanour” opens at Macao Museum of Art
displaying costumes of Qing dynasty from the Palace Museum’s collection with various outreach activities offered

Date of publication: 16/12/2020
Type: ---

Organised by the Macao Museum of Art (MAM) of the Cultural Affairs Bureau and the Palace Museum, co-organised by the Macao Government Tourism Office and Macao Foundation, and supported by Macao Daily News, the large-scale exhibition “Stately Demeanour: Costumes of Qing Emperors and Empresses from the Collection of the Palace Museum” was inaugurated on 16 December, at 6:30pm, in the Exhibition Gallery on the fourth floor of MAM. The opening ceremony was officiated by the Representative of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture and Chief of Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Ho Ioc San; the Representative of the Acting Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao SAR and Chief of the Department of General Affairs, Counsellor Zhang Jian; the Deputy Director of the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Liu Wei; the Deputy Director of the Palace Museum, Du Haijiang; the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Mok Ian Ian; the Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; the Vice-President of the Administrative Committee of the Macao Foundation, Zhong Yi Seabra de Mascarenhas and the Director of Macao Daily News, Lok Po.

The exhibition features nearly 90 pieces (sets) of Qing emperors’ and empresses’ attire and accessories from the Palace Museum’s collection, divided into five sections: “Official Costumes”, “Festive Costumes”, “Regular Costumes”, “Military and Travel Costumes”, and “Leisure Costumes”. The exhibition includes several highlights, including bright-yellow court robe embroidered with polychrome clouds and dragons, which indicate the paramount status of Emperor Qianlong; the armour suit symbolising Emperor Xianfeng’s supreme military power, and the hair accessory inlaid with kingfisher feathers and jewels, which accentuates the empresses’ captivating elegance. The exhibition also showcases paintings of Qing emperors and their imperial consorts wearing corresponding costumes at various occasions, giving viewers a glimpse into their life in the court and the culture behind the clothing system of the Qing dynasty. The colourful exhibits with various motifs and exquisite craftsmanship represent the mutual integration of Manchu and Han cultures and the magnificence of the diversified Chinese clothing culture. The Cultural Affairs Bureau appreciates the Palace Museum’s efforts in bringing the priceless exhibits to Macao as scheduled despite the impact of the pandemic, and for allowing the much-anticipated annual cultural event to be successfully held in Macao.

The exhibition “Stately Demeanour: Costumes of Qing Emperors and Empresses from the Collection of the Palace Museum” is held until 14 March 2021. In order to enhance the public’s interest in the exhibition, an interactive education zone will be available and free brochures and postcards will be distributed in the venue. During the exhibition period, a number of interesting outreach activities will also be held, including lectures by experts from the Palace Museum, public guided tours, audio-guide services via QR code, workshops, online virtual exhibition and prize games. Visitors who participate in the games “A Correct Answer for an instant-Prize Lucky Draw” and “Online Prize Games” will stand a chance to win exquisite cultural and creative products from the Palace Museum. Public guided tours in Cantonese will be available in the afternoon on weekends and public holidays starting from 20 December 2020. A 20% discount will be offered on the purchase of catalogues at the MAM Gift Shop during the exhibition period. For more information, please visit the MAM’s website at www.MAM.gov.mo.

The Macao Museum of Art is open daily from 10am to 7pm (last admission at 6:30pm) including public holidays, and is closed on Mondays. Admission is free. In cooperation with epidemic prevention efforts of the SAR Government, visitors must wear face masks at all times, undergo temperature checks and present their health code of the day.