Regional Origins of Early Painters

Early porcelain painting artisans predominantly migrated directly from Mainland to Hong Kong, while a portion relocated via or directly from Macao. In terms of ancestral origin, a considerable number of these painters hailed from Gaoyao, Gaoming, and Kaiping in Guangdong Province. Those from Kaiping were predominantly of the Szeto (or Sitou) clan. Notably, Szeto Chun-cheuk, the founder of Yee Shun Lung—one of Guangzhou’s most historically significant and prominent guangcai porcelain factory—was a native of Kaiping, and his descendants subsequently continued their practice in Hong Kong. In addition, porcelain painters from the Chaoshan (or Teoswa) region and its surrounding territories constituted a significant portion of the workforce.

Professional Backgrounds of Porcelain Painters

While the majority of early painters had previously been employed within painted porcelain factories in Chinese Mainland, individuals from diverse occupational backgrounds also entered the industry upon arriving in Hong Kong, acquiring their craft through on-the-job training. A notable and unique case is the Tao Fong Shan Christian Centre in Sha Tin. In an effort to provide Buddhist migrants from the Mainland with a viable livelihood, the institution offered porcelain painting training, simultaneously utilizing the decorated wares to propagate the Christian faith; notably, the painters of the Centre hailed from various Chinese provinces. Subsequently, as the Hong Kong painted porcelain industry transitioned into its stages of growth and expansion, the workforce increasingly integrated individuals born and raised locally. The convergence of diverse talents in Hong Kong gradually forged a highly composite community.