FINE ART ASIA 2021 Academic Programme

 

Her Jewels: Cartier and Women

Presented by Hong Kong Palace Museum

Speakers: Dr. Estelle Niklès van Osselt, Curator, Hong Kong Palace Museum
Moderator: Dr. Tianlong Jiao, Head Curator, Hong Kong Palace Museum
Date: 11 October 2021 (Monday)
Time: 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Language: English

Fashion and jewels have always been closely tied to the lives and fates of women. In this regard, the fascinating story of Cartier—one of the most prestigious jewellers in the world—acts as a mirror that reflects social changes and women’s desires.  In the early 20th century, the exotic was seductive, and Cartier’s creations were no exception. Inspired by the arts of Persia, Russia, Egypt, India, Japan and China, the Maison sparked curiosity in the West.

 

Specialising in Chinese and Asian art and archaeology, Dr Estelle Niklès van Osselt earned her Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of Geneva, the University of London (SOAS), and the Peking University. Prior to her appointment at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, Dr Niklès van Osselt worked as Curator at the Baur Foundation in Geneva and for the Guy and Myriam Ullens Foundation in Geneva and Beijing. She has curated thirteen exhibitions, including “Beyond Boundaries: Cartier and the Palace Museum Craftmanship and Restoration Exhibition”. With a special interest in East-West encounters, Dr Niklès van Osselt has authored a number of books, including Five Blessings: Coded Messages in Chinese Art. Her most recent book, Asia Chic: The Influence of Japanese and Chinese Textiles on the Fashions of the Roaring Twenties, received the FILAF Prize 2020 (International Art Book and Film Festival) – Selection of the Jury.

   

Dr Tianlong Jiao received his B.A. from Peking University in 1987 and Ph. D. from Harvard University in 2003. Prior to his appointment at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, he was the Curator of Asian Art at the Denver Art Museum, the Head and Curator of Chinese Art at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, Chief Curator of Hong Kong Maritime Museum, the Chairman of the Department of Anthropology at Bishop Museum. He also served as faculty or visiting professors at University of Hawaii-Manoa, Xiamen University, Chinese University of Science and Technology and Shandong University. His research specialty is early Chinese art and archaeology. He has curated many international traveling exhibitions in collaboration with major museums worldwide, including the Palace Museum. He also conducted archaeological projects in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Hawaii and Honduras. He has authored/co-authored seven books and more than ninety research papers both in Chinese and in English. His book The Neolithic of Southeast China (Cambria Press 2007) was the winner of the 2007 Philip and Eugenia Cho Award for Outstanding Scholarship in Asian Studies.