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"FROM TRADE TO HERITAGE: THE EVOLUTION AND PRESERVATION OF MACAU'S CANTONESE PORCELAIN IN GLOBAL CONTEXT"
Date Issued
2026-02
Author(s)
Chan, Fu Meng
Abstract
Cantonese Porcelain was introduced to Macau from Guangzhou in the mid-20th century, with its full name being ""Guangzhou Gold-Brocaded Color Porcelain"". As a product of the integration of Chinese and Western cultures, its development reflects Macau's special status in global trade. In 2020, it was included in Macau's Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
This study, combining various methods and the oral historical materials of Master Lei Iat Po (李溢坡) presents the situation of its heyday in the 1980s, traces the evolution of this craftsmanship from an export commodity to a cultural heritage, and explores the unique creations under globalization. Currently, only Master Lei Iat Po (李溢坡) inherits this craft. The industrial transformation after Macau's return has led to its decline, and the problem of having no successors is severe.
The 1950s was a golden age of vigorous export. Its porcelain featured Chinese-style gold-brocaded patterns in design combined with Western shapes, differing from Cantonese Porcelain in many other regions, with frequent cross-cultural experiments. The contemporary revival faces challenges such as technological innovation, but AR exhibitions, environmental protection kilns, and so forth provide avenues for revival. This thesis regards Macau’s Cantonese porcelain as a witness to early globalization and a case of heritage protection, aiming to promote its popularization.
This study, combining various methods and the oral historical materials of Master Lei Iat Po (李溢坡) presents the situation of its heyday in the 1980s, traces the evolution of this craftsmanship from an export commodity to a cultural heritage, and explores the unique creations under globalization. Currently, only Master Lei Iat Po (李溢坡) inherits this craft. The industrial transformation after Macau's return has led to its decline, and the problem of having no successors is severe.
The 1950s was a golden age of vigorous export. Its porcelain featured Chinese-style gold-brocaded patterns in design combined with Western shapes, differing from Cantonese Porcelain in many other regions, with frequent cross-cultural experiments. The contemporary revival faces challenges such as technological innovation, but AR exhibitions, environmental protection kilns, and so forth provide avenues for revival. This thesis regards Macau’s Cantonese porcelain as a witness to early globalization and a case of heritage protection, aiming to promote its popularization.
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Chan fu meng thesis - Fu Meng Chan.pdf
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53.92 MB
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Adobe PDF
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