Visual Arts

Beneath the Surface: Chinese Inlay; Japanese Maki-e; and European Cloisonné Enamel will delve into and celebrate some of the most iconic and laborious decorative techniques of all times. Featuring more than 200 objects and spanning across two floors, the extensive exhibition will showcase outstanding examples of surface decorative arts from the museum’s permanent collections, offering a unique opportunity to understand their history, technique, design and cultural significance.

The selected artefacts in this exhibition focusses primarily on the ancient technique of Chinese mother-of-pearl and semi-precious stones inlay (baibaoqian), alongside a comparative display of Japanese lacquer (maki-e) and European cloisonné enamel from the museum’s core collections of classical Chinese furniture; Japanese works of art; and Russian silver and European vanities. Ranging in form of expression, size and function, the exquisite works nevertheless represent the unique craftsmanship of their own cultures when presented alongside each other.