Gems from the South: Traditional Crafts of Guangong Province

This volume documents an exhibition at the University of Hong Kong presenting 94 representative pieces of crafts selected from the Guangdong Provincial Museum collection, including ceramics, inkstones, embroideries, ivory, stone, brick and wood carvings, enamel wares, glass wares, clocks and furniture.

Guangdong, situated in the south of China, has always been a rich province with favorable geographical conditions. It has developed its own unique civilization, both materially and spiritually, since ancient times. The industry, dexterity, and ingenuity characteristic of the people of Guangdong have encouraged the creation of exquisite and distinctive handicrafts, full of the spirit of their age. During the Ming dynasty, the development of handicrafts grew alongside that of economy and culture in Guangdong, and continued to flourish in the second half of the Qing dynasty. This had a profound influence on the history of arts and crafts in China.

The volume aims to promote greater appreciation of the civilization of the Lingnan region in China.