Imperial beauty in China, Japan explored in Hong Kong show – a salute to women throughout history

Walk along Hong Kong’s Hollywood Road, past its many antique shops and those selling Chinese fans, Mao souvenirs and other paraphernalia, and you’ll find the Liang Yi Museum. Behind an unassuming door, the museum is a dedicated space for the antiques collection of millionaire and collector Peter Fung Yiu-fai.

The museum was set up five years ago and houses a collection that incudes four-poster beds, scholarly articles, paintings, screens and a permanent collection of ladies’ ornaments, which are the subject of an exhibition now running at the museum until late February.

“Crowning Glory: The Beauty of Ladies’ Ornaments from Asia and Europe” showcases beautiful craftsmanship in the form of carved backs for mirrors, ornate combs and kingfisher feather tiaras, robes and other textiles. But it also tells the story of how women throughout history in China and Japan were able to express themselves despite being closeted in their quarters according to Confucian custom.

The earliest items on display in the exhibition date back to the 17th century, when both Japanese and Chinese society were deeply rooted in Confucian custom. Confucianism was introduced to Japan from China in the 3rd century via Korea.

Curator Stephanie Fong Ho-yin explains how men at that time conducted business, while women were at best satellites to the men’s lives, as sisters, wives and mothers.

“First you obeyed your father, then you married and obeyed your husband, then you obeyed your son,” says Fong, adding that aristocratic women would receive more education, so were able to write and paint.