Merchandise of the Pre-war Period

Advertising leaflet for Indanthrene cloth
1920s to 1940s
Hong Kong Museum of History collection
Indanthrene is a dye from India that comes in different colours, the most commonly seen one being blue. Chinese dyeing factories use the dye to produce Indanthrene cloth, which they claimed to be colour-fast. The fabric was quite popular during the 1930s and 1940s. Advertising leaflet for Indanthrene cloth
1920s to 1940s
Hong Kong Museum of History collection
Indanthrene is a dye from India that comes in different colours, the most commonly seen one being blue. Chinese dyeing factories use the dye to produce Indanthrene cloth, which they claimed to be colour-fast. The fabric was quite popular during the 1930s and 1940s. The cheongsam depicted on these calendar poster ladies encompass the best stylistic qualities – trendy fabric with floral prints, geometric and striped patterns, and slim-fitting cuts. They can truly make a lady shine when paired with stylish heels, see-through stockings and short curly hair.

Calendar poster of Cheong Li Lined Fabric Factory
1930s
Hong Kong Museum of History collection The cheongsam depicted on these calendar poster ladies encompass the best stylistic qualities – trendy fabric with floral prints, geometric and striped patterns, and slim-fitting cuts. They can truly make a lady shine when paired with stylish heels, see-through stockings and short curly hair.

Calendar poster of Chuen Sun Knitwear Factory
1930s
Hong Kong Museum of History collection The cheongsam depicted on these calendar poster ladies encompass the best stylistic qualities – trendy fabric with floral prints, geometric and striped patterns, and slim-fitting cuts. They can truly make a lady shine when paired with stylish heels, see-through stockings and short curly hair.

Calendar poster of Meen Ngai Knitwear Factory
1930s
Hong Kong Museum of History collection

The cheongsam depicted on these calendar poster ladies encompass the best stylistic qualities – trendy fabric with floral prints, geometric and striped patterns, and slim-fitting cuts. They can truly make a lady shine when paired with stylish heels, see-through stockings and short curly hair.

Calendar poster of Hui Chun Ge Pharmacy
1920s to 1930s
Hong Kong Heritage Museum collection Calendar poster of Sun Sing Department Store
1930s
Hong Kong Heritage Museum collection
This calendar poster depicts a lady holding a jacket and wearing floor-length cheongsam, which was the trend during the mid-1930s. Calendar poster of Shanghai Hua Ming Battery Factory
1930s
Hong Kong Heritage Museum collection
This calendar poster shows a woman pairing cheongsam with a jacket, demonstrating the versatility of the dress and thus the reason behind its popularity. These calendar posters were designed by Kwan Wai Nung (1880-1956) and printed by the printing house he founded – Asiatic Lithographic Printing Press, Hong Kong. Kwan was recognised as 'Master of Calendar Posters' and was particularly talented in depicting the female figure. Bringing together Western and Chinese painting styles and drawing inspirations from the Lingnan School, he created many hugely popular calendar posters applying Western watercolour and perspective techniques.

Calendar poster of Golden Valley Brandy
1938
Hong Kong Museum of History collection These calendar posters were designed by Kwan Wai Nung (1880-1956) and printed by the printing house he founded – Asiatic Lithographic Printing Press, Hong Kong. Kwan was recognised as 'Master of Calendar Posters' and was particularly talented in depicting the female figure. Bringing together Western and Chinese painting styles and drawing inspirations from the Lingnan School, he created many hugely popular calendar posters applying Western watercolour and perspective techniques.

Calendar poster of Gande, Price & Co., Ltd
1934
Hong Kong Museum of History collection

These calendar posters were designed by Kwan Wai Nung (1880-1956) and printed by the printing house he founded – Asiatic Lithographic Printing Press, Hong Kong. Kwan was recognised as 'Master of Calendar Posters' and was particularly talented in depicting the female figure. Bringing together Western and Chinese painting styles and drawing inspirations from the Lingnan School, he created many hugely popular calendar posters applying Western watercolour and perspective techniques.

Calendar poster of Georg Dralle, Germany
1937
Hong Kong Museum of History collection These calendar posters were designed by Kwan Wai Nung (1880-1956) and printed by the printing house he founded – Asiatic Lithographic Printing Press, Hong Kong. Kwan was recognised as 'Master of Calendar Posters' and was particularly talented in depicting the female figure. Bringing together Western and Chinese painting styles and drawing inspirations from the Lingnan School, he created many hugely popular calendar posters applying Western watercolour and perspective techniques.

Calendar poster of Joy Hong Low, USA
1937
Hong Kong Museum of History collection These calendar posters were designed by Kwan Wai Nung (1880-1956) and printed by the printing house he founded – Asiatic Lithographic Printing Press, Hong Kong. Kwan was recognised as 'Master of Calendar Posters' and was particularly talented in depicting the female figure. Bringing together Western and Chinese painting styles and drawing inspirations from the Lingnan School, he created many hugely popular calendar posters applying Western watercolour and perspective techniques.

Calendar poster of Ka Wah Savings Bank Limited
1932
Hong Kong Museum of History collection These calendar posters were designed by Kwan Wai Nung (1880-1956) and printed by the printing house he founded – Asiatic Lithographic Printing Press, Hong Kong. Kwan was recognised as 'Master of Calendar Posters' and was particularly talented in depicting the female figure. Bringing together Western and Chinese painting styles and drawing inspirations from the Lingnan School, he created many hugely popular calendar posters applying Western watercolour and perspective techniques.

Calendar poster of Hing Kee Bookstore
1920s to 1930s
Hong Kong Heritage Museum collection These calendar posters were designed by Kwan Wai Nung (1880-1956) and printed by the printing house he founded – Asiatic Lithographic Printing Press, Hong Kong. Kwan was recognised as 'Master of Calendar Posters' and was particularly talented in depicting the female figure. Bringing together Western and Chinese painting styles and drawing inspirations from the Lingnan School, he created many hugely popular calendar posters applying Western watercolour and perspective techniques.

Calendar poster of Ruichang Pharmacy
1920s to 1930s
Hong Kong Museum of History collection