Details

Objects made of or featuring glass in the National Palace Museum collection come primarily from the Qing dynasty (1644-1911)imperial court. They include costume accessories, objects of the scholar's studio, and various containers, display items, and composite pieces. Many were originally stored in curio boxes, representing prized objects made for the court or acquired as Western rarities. Despite their small size, these glass objects display unique craftsmanship and exemplify the diverse developments in glasswork under the supervision of the Qing court. This exhibition of glassware from the Museum collection mainly comprises glass artifacts from the Qing court, including objects made mostly with glass, inlays of glass, and optical components. They are display alongside proto-glass objects and artifacts of related materials for comparison in terms of form, manufacturing techniques, and color expression. Taken together, this exhibition demonstrates the cultural heritage as well as exchange and transformation in the art of glassmaking during the Qing dynasty.