Might and Magnificence: Ceremonial Arms and Armour across Cultures

EVENT DESCRIPTION

The Indra and Harry Banga Gallery of City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) is delighted to announce the groundbreaking “Might and Magnificence: Ceremonial Arms and Armour across Cultures” exhibition, co-curated by the Gallery’s Director, Dr Libby Lai-Pik Chan, and Dr Rachel Parikh, Deputy Director of the Dunhuang Foundation.

This unprecedented exhibition, a key part of CityUHK’s 30th anniversary celebrations, will reveal the true essence of ceremonial arms and armour, not merely as functional weapons, but also as profound symbols of cultural and social identity. Nearly 200 examples of rarities from esteemed private and local public collections, including the renowned Mengdiexuan Collection and the celebrated R&J Collection, will be displayed.

The weaponry spans cultures, countries, religions and history, demonstrating the importance and multifarious roles, from markers of status to instruments of worship, these magnificent pieces played far beyond their practical use in war.

From Concept to Culture

This is the first time such a sizeable collection of ceremonial arms and armour has been displayed in Hong Kong. Visitors can embark on a fabulous journey through four precisely divided sections: (i) an introduction to the concept of ceremonial arms and armour, (ii) a visual glossary of the decorative techniques used on the weapons, (iii) a study of ceremonial arms and armour in seven geographical areas, from Asia to North Africa, and (iv) ‘Looking East’, which examines the reciprocal impact of trade, conquest and colonialism on the production of Eastern and Western ceremonial arms and armour. 

From Experience to Understanding

Thanks to extraordinary interdepartmental collaboration at CityUHK, visitors will experience the remarkable integration of art, science and technology in the weaponry on display through a mesmerising immersive experience, interactive media, the metaverse, and moving images, as well as the application of algorithms, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) on selected arms, and Multispectral Imaging (MSI) on military portrait paintings. This offers a truly multi-disciplinary perspective for visitors to explore.

Since its establishment in 2016, the Indra and Harry Banga Gallery at CityUHK has been recognised for exhibitions that preserve cultural heritage and bridge Western and Asian cultures. “Might and Magnificence: Ceremonial Arms and Armour across Cultures” continues this proud tradition and carries on the Gallery’s mission of providing artistic, innovative, technology-rich exhibitions that engage the community.