INTRODUCTION
Between the 16th and 19th centuries, China established trade and cultural connections with various Asian and European countries via the Maritime Silk Road, profoundly influencing the material and cultural history of both continents. During numerous interactions, the Qing court and the Portuguese royal family engaged in reciprocal exchanges, leading to a variety of exquisite gifts being presented: beautiful court artefacts and items blending Chinese and Western science and culture. All of these treasures possess unique cultural and artistic value.
Macao held a special historical significance during this period as a vital transit hub between China and Europe, particularly in its role between China and Portugal. The Chinese export ceramics unearthed in Macao, as well as ceramics produced and passed down from China and Portugal, are tangible manifestations of the cultural interplay between the two countries during this time.
The exhibition Reflections of Maritime Connections: 16th–19th Century Sino-Portuguese Cultural Exchange is divided into three sections: ‘Dawn of the Porcelain Road’, ‘Cultural Exchange in Porcelain’, and ‘Dialogues between Courts’. Featuring 177 items from the Palace Museum, Portuguese cultural institutions including the National Museum of Ancient Art, the Museum of the Orient, and the Ajuda Library, and departments under Macao’s Cultural Affairs Bureau, the exhibition showcases the fascinating history of interactions between the Qing court and the Portuguese royal family from the 16th to the 19th centuries. It highlights the numerous Sino-Portugal trade and cultural exchanges and explores Macao’s crucial role as a vital transit hub during this pivotal period in world history.