From imperial court treasures to future design inspiration, a new chapter in Chinese textile heritage unfolds in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) and PolyU have joined forces to establish The Hong Kong Palace Museum – The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Joint Chinese Textiles Centre (the Centre), transforming nearly 3,000 historical treasures from the Chris Hall Collection, the promised gift from the esteemed art collector Mr Chris Hall, into living inspiration for future generations.

The Signing Ceremony of the collaborative agreement was held at the HKPM, witnessed by Mr Leo Kung, Chairman of the HKPM Board; Dr Lam Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman; Professor Jin-Guang Teng, President of PolyU; and Mrs Betty Fung, Chief Executive Officer of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority. The Agreement was signed by Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the HKPM and Professor Ben Young, Vice President (Student and Global Affairs) of PolyU.

New initiative promoting education and research

Drawing on the expertise and research capacity of HKPM in Chinese history, arts and culture, and that of PolyU in textiles, fashion and design, the Centre is well-positioned to lead and promote research, education, publication, and creative projects related to historical Chinese textiles. Key focuses include the history of Chinese textiles, Chinese textile archaeology, Chinese costumes, textile scientific research, textile technology, and the Silk Road.

The Centre will provide PolyU with valuable resources for teaching, research, and outreach initiatives through its Faculty of Humanities, School of Fashion and Textiles, School of Design, and other faculties/departments. Students and staff members will have opportunities to study the Collection whilst developing specialised teaching materials and courses in Chinese textiles and silk history.

Unparalleled collection encouraging appreciation and innovation

Central to this initiative is the Chris Hall Collection, spanning from the Warring States period (475–221 BCE) to the 21st century and encompassing examples of all major categories in Chinese textiles. Particularly notable are its unique strengths in rank badges from the Ming and Qing dynasties and religious textiles. The Collection will be gradually transferred to HKPM starting December 2024, with formal donation scheduled for 2034.

A large-scale survey exhibition featuring the Collection will be presented in the second half of 2025, showcasing the splendid history of Chinese silk culture and cross-cultural exchanges exemplified through textiles. “I hope that the Centre will help increase our historical and cultural knowledge and encourage the appreciation of the beauty of Chinese textiles by the general public,” said Mr Hall, noting that the Collection will become an invaluable resource for students, scholars, artists, and designers alike.

More details will be available at HKPM website in due course. 

Representatives of the HKPM and PolyU signed the collaborative agreement for The Hong Kong Palace Museum – The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Joint Chinese Textile Centre. (Back row, from left) Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, PolyU President; Dr Lam Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman; Mr Leo Kung, Chairman of the HKPM Board; Mrs Betty Fung, Chief Executive Officer of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority. (Front row, from left) Prof. Ben Young, PolyU Vice President (Student and Global Affairs); Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the HKPM.