The special exhibition “Life, Elegance, and Vision: Late Qing and Republican-Era Porcelain” officially opened to the public on January 20, 2017, in the first-floor exhibition hall of the Changzhou Museum. Co-organized by the Publicity Department of the CPC Changzhou Municipal Committee, the Changzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism, the Changzhou Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and the Changzhou Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, and organized by the Changzhou Museum, the Changzhou Hengshan Museum, and the Changzhou Museum Association, the exhibition will run through March 19. 　　

      The late Qing and Republican eras were marked by sweeping changes; these historic upheavals affected many aspects of society and permeated every facet of daily life. Porcelain from the late Qing and Republican periods—especially everyday tableware—reflects the lifestyles, aesthetic tastes, and aspirations for a better life of the common people at that time. 　　

This exhibition features over 100 pieces of porcelain from the late Qing and Republican periods, selected from the collections of the Changzhou Hengshan Museum and the Changzhou Museum. In terms of form, the pieces range from utilitarian ware to decorative objects, offering a rich variety of categories and designs; in terms of motifs, they include depictions of flowers and birds, figure paintings, and folk tales. These porcelain pieces complement the vibrant tapestry of everyday life and are deeply imbued with traditional folk culture. 　　

As the final stage of handcrafted porcelain production, late Qing and Republican-era porcelain is now a thing of the past, but this artistic style—rooted in traditional folk culture—continues to influence the design of modern porcelain. Far removed from the halls of power and closely tied to everyday life, these pieces may still evoke memories of an era that isn’t so distant after all.

Reclining Figure of a Lady Amid Autumn Leaves from the Dehua Kiln

Shallow-Crimson-Glazed Four-Handled Lidded Jar with Floral and Bird Motifs