The grand weddings of the Qing emperors were majestic state ceremonies, and even were the most solemn celebrations within the Forbidden City during the Qing dynasty. The Hong Kong Heritage Museum will hold the large-scale exhibition "Ceremony and Celebration - The Grand Weddings of the Qing Emperors" from tomorrow (November 30) to February 27 next year to let members of the public appreciate stunning exhibits from the imperial weddings, as well as learn more about the extremely elaborate rituals and procedures of the emperors' weddings.
 
     Speaking at the launch ceremony today (November 29), the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, said that the Leisure and Cultural Services Department has over the years been actively fostering ties with top-notch museums in the Mainland, with a view to strengthening the public's understanding of Chinese culture through history, art and science. The exhibition launched today is a cultural feast the Palace Museum has presented for Hong Kong. The superb craftsmanship of the wedding items not only demonstrates the splendour of the imperial palace, but also deepens visitors' understanding of the culture of wedding etiquette.
 
     Other officiating guests included the Director of the Palace Museum, Dr Shan Jixiang; the Deputy Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Anthony Chow; the Chairman of the History Sub-committee of the Museum Advisory Committee, Ms Anita Fung; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li; and the Museum Director of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Ms Fione Lo.
      
     The exhibition will showcase the grand weddings of the Qing emperors by displaying 153 sets of valuable exhibits meticulously selected from the collections of rarities at the Palace Museum. These documents, portraits, costumes, personal ornaments, dowry objects, wedding ritual objects and court musical instruments, among others, will serve to showcase the grand weddings of the emperors.
 
     Highlight exhibits include 10 meticulously executed pictures selected from the comprehensive illustrated record of the grand wedding of Zaitian (the Guangxu Emperor), with a total length of 12 metres; a gold seal engraved with "Huanghou zhibao" (Empress's seal) and surmounted by a dragon knob; a bright yellow lined male dragon robe with kesi tapestry gold dragon, bat, cloud and double happiness motifs; a bright red quilted dragon robe embroidered with eight dragon-phoenix and double happiness roundels; a wooden saddle with gemstone inlays and "golden walnut wood" veneer; an iron helmet with gold filigree; and a duomu flask used in traditional Manchu weddings.
      
     The thematic galleries will also display replicas of the Chinese emperor wedding room and the Empress's Phoenix Chair, enabling the visitors to explore the splendour of the Qing royal weddings. Artefacts highlighting regional marriage practices will also be displayed, allowing visitors to get a glimpse of the commoners' wedding practices.
 
     The exhibition is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Palace Museum, and jointly organised by the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and the Palace Museum, with sole sponsorship from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. It is one of the exhibitions in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Series 2016/17. The Hong Kong Design Institute is the supporting organisation regarding production of interactive programmes.
 
     For details of the exhibition, please visit the Hong Kong Heritage Museum's website at hk.heritage.museum/en_US/web/hm/exhibitions/data/exid239.html, or call 2180 8188.
 

Ends/Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Issued at HKT 19:58

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