Hong Kong painted porcelain or 'gangcai ' (港彩) refers to the type of overglaze decorated porcelain manufactured in Hong Kong that embodies the city’s distinct historical, cultural tapestry, and collective memory.

Since the 1920s, the influx of porcelain workers from various regions of Chinese Mainland injected vital inspiration into local porcelain design and craftsmanship. In the realm of painted porcelain, the influence of Guangdong painted porcelain was arguably the most far-reaching. As an open commercial port, Hong Kong birthed a highly eclectic repertoire of porcelain forms and decorative motifs. This tradition seamlessly merged classical Chinese heritage with the distinct local identity born of British colonial rule, alongside the diverse cultural influences of its international export markets. Between the 1920s and 1990s, this cross-cultural synthesis culminated in the evolution of gangcai —a vibrant art form steeped in pluralistic cultural character and collective human memory. The remarkable achievements of this industry underscore Hong Kong’s dual historical role: it served both as a vital conduit for disseminating Chinese porcelain art globally and as a dynamic international cultural melting pot.

The 20th century marked the golden age of Hong Kong painted porcelain. In 2015, the Hong Kong Ceramics Research Society initiated a research project on gangcai. Utilizing oral history methodologies, the project collected and archived historical accounts to reconstruct the authentic cultural lineage and precious essence of this craft, thereby preserving relevant artifacts and documenting the pinnacle of its technical mastery.

The content and data within this special collection are primarily derived from the fruits of the aforementioned research. Through the texts, images, videos, and audio recordings presented herein, readers are invited to explore the historical trajectory and distinct attributes of gangcai, reflecting upon a glittering, bygone era.