The Oriental Ceramic Society is delighted to present an exclusive guided viewing of the exhibition ‘Blown and Tooled: Western Asian Influences in Ancient Glass in China’ at The University Museum and Art Gallery (UMAG) of the University of Hong Kong (HKU).
Harald Peter Kraemer will guide members through an exhibition of early glass vessels that display technological and stylistic influences from countries along the Silk Road. Objects have been selected from a recent donation to UMAG along with additional loan items, which are either of Western Asian or Chinese origin. Though the technique of blowing glass was first developed by the Phoenicians in the Roman Empire in the first century BCE, the design outline of many shapes relates to Syro-Palestinian forms of the first century CE, and to Islamic Persian models found in both ceramic and metalware of the sixth century CE. All of these examples show an eastward dissemination of glass-making techniques and decorative styles.
The international transfer of manufacturing practices, object types and design features make this particular collection of glassware a fascinating subject of study, as the knowledge transfer and trade along the Silk Road since the first millennium CE complicates the artefact’s origins and cultural influences. Interestingly, this fine and fragile artform has been treasured for centuries and excavated objects from tomb sites often include both imported and Chinese items.
H. P. Kraemer studied art history, classical archaeology and history, before completing a PhD at the University of Trier on museum informatics and digital collections. A graduate of the MA course for curators of exhibitions at the Institute for Cultural Studies in Vienna, he has over 80 exhibitions to his credit. As an educator, he has also developed MA programmes in Media Arts Cultures as well as Curating Art and Media teaching at universities in Bern, Cologne, Glasgow, Hong Kong and Zurich, among others. He has published 27 books, and over 180 essays and catalogue contributions on different subjects. He has been a curator at UMAG since August 2022. His responsibilities include the development of a collection management system as well as the development of storyboards and the production of interactive stories for selected collection objects.
Members are reminded that this event is strictly limited to current members only. A limited number of places are available and pre-registration is required. Drop-ins will not be entertained. Members are further reminded that photography is not ordinarily permitted. Also, Please note that visitors are required to wear a face mask, receive temperature screening, sanitize hands with rubbing alcohol provided, and register / use the LeaveHomeSafe application to scan the venue QR code at the temperature screening station prior to entry.