Date: 16 December 2023 (Sat)
Time: 10:30 - 13:00
Venue: Room 209B, Cheng Yu Tung Building, CUHK
Medium: English
On-site participation: Register Here (Limited Quota)
Online participation: Register Here
Inquiry: rpcaa@cuhk.edu.hk / 39430454

[Topic #1] Decipher, Understand, and Compare the Enameling Techniques of Imperial Porcelain of the Qing Dynasty by Non-Invasive On-site Analysis
Speaker: Prof. Philippe Colomban (CNRS professor emeritus at Sorbonne University)

Abstract:  The study of Chinese and European archives and correspondence has highlighted the attention of the Qing Emperors for enameled objects offered by European emissaries and missionaries, the importation of ingredients and the arrival in China of experts in painting and in the production of glass and enamels at the turn of the 17th and into the 18th century for the establishment of 'imperial' workshops but also private ones. Taking advantage of the high performance of the mobile Raman and XRF spectrometers, the measurements carried out on the Asian and European collections of different European museums allowed the identification and comparison of the phases, crystalline and amorphous, and of the chemical elements constituting the blue, yellow, green, red to pink and violet enamels of the porcelains and metalwares attributed to the productions of the imperial workshops or those produced in the District of the Customs of Canton (Guangzhou). The analysis of Arita porcelains (Kan'ei period) and rare archives show that the Portuguese Jesuits had taught European painting techniques on different supports one century before and this questions the possibility of a transfer of know-how from Japan to China.

[Topic #2] Scientific Analysis on Canton Enameling Technique
Speaker: Mr. Lai Wing Fai (Curator) & Ms. Tang Man Wai (Assistant Curator), Conservation Office of LCSD

Abstract: Canton enamel, also known as Guangdong falong, is a unique form of ceramic art in the development of Chinese art history.  This presentation mainly focuses on the materials used in underglazing, inglaze and overglaze decors on three sets of enamel teaware manufactured in the 19th century in Guangdong.  The selected enamel artefacts are examined by a combination of various analytical techniques including optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy to study the enamelling techniques and their development trends.  The advantages and technical limitations of the analytical techniques used will be compared.  The specific microscopic features observed from the enamelware related to the fabrication are studied with an aim to unveil the provenance and the craftmanship.  Besides, modern enamelling materials are used to reproduce the traditional enamelling process to have a better understanding on the actual procedures and their effects.