Hong Kong Heritage Museum

Hong Kong Home: Multi-Stories

Thematic Gallery (6),
Hong Kong Heritage Museum

17 December 2000 - 02 October 2001

The exhibition vividly presented the interior designs that had been prevalent in Hong Kong in different eras and across different social classes. And computers set up in the gallery allowed visitors to have fun creating their own interior designs and seeing how their own homes could look!

Exhibit Highlights

Glass bottle series

The manufacturing of soft drink bottles in Hong Kong began in the 19^th century, but materials and technology improved with time. Egg-shaped bottles were among the earliest produced, the bottle had to lay on one side to ensure that the cork stopper remained moist and prevented drying and shrinkage from the loss of gas. Later on, this style of bottle was replaced by the marble bottles, where a piece of marble was used to prevent the loss of gas. Metal crown caps are used in the latest soft drink bottle designs, although now aluminum cans and Tetrapak are widely used.

	Marble bottle Produced by Connaught Aerated Water Factory (Hong Kong) 1906 24 (H) x 7 (Dia)cm Loaned from Mr. Simon Cheung

Flat base Hamilton Produced by A.S. Watson & Co. Ltd. (Hong Kong & China) 1920s 25.5(H) x 8.5 (Dia)cm

	Milk bottle Produced by Green Spot, The Dairy Farm Co. Ltd 1937 17 (H) x 5.5 (Dia)cm Loaned from Mr. Simon Cheung

Crown lip bottle Produced by HK Soyabean Products Co. Ltd. 1953 20.2(H) x 5.7(Dia)cm Loaned from Mr. Simon Cheung

Water sprayer series

As the sprayers shown are collected in Hong Kong, with their shape and materials reflecting the history of industrial development in the territory. From the creative modification of tin cans to the adaptation of soft drink bottles in the 30s and 40s, the materials used further changed to include colorful glass, copper and plastic. Nowadays, the use of steam irons has obviously replaced the need for these water sprayers.

Water sprayer (left 1): featured with geometric pattern Glass bottle series

Made in Hong Kong
1960s
17(H) x 10 (Dia)cm
Donated by Dr. Matthew Turner

Water sprayer (left 2): copper made

Made in Hong Kong
1960s
16 (H) x 9 (Dia)cm
Donated by Dr. Matthew Turner

Water sprayer (left 3): decorated with hand-painted flower motif

Made in Hong Kong
1950s-60s
14 (H) x 8.5 (Dia)cm
Donated by Dr. Matthew Turner

Water sprayer (left 4): patterned with green and white stripes

Made in Hong Kong
1960-70s
16(H) x 9 (Dia) cm
Donated by Dr. Matthew Turner

Water sprayer (left 5): adapted from reused tin

Found in Hong Kong
Early 20th century
8 (H) x 7.5 (Dia)cm
Donated by Dr. Matthew Turner

	'Octopus egg cup' Designed by Gear Atelier Design Team 6 (Dia) x 7(W) x 7(H) cm Particularly sensitive to our minute, personal and sensual needs, designer May Wong takes inspirations from her experience of life to create her products, which are both interesting and practical. The 'Octopus' egg cup won the Merit at the CSD Hong Kong Design Awards 1997 and the prize for excellence at the HKDA Design Award in 1998.

Floor lamp Made in Hong Kong 1960s 160 (H) x 35 (Dia)cm Loaned from Mr. Alan Chan Composed of a number of colorful spheres, with its trend-setting elements creativity. This was a breakthrough design.

	Floor lamps (a pair) Product of the Pearl River delta Early 20th century 181 (H) x 62 (Dia)cm Donated by Sir Lo Man-kam Trade activities around the Pearl River Delta have flourished ever since Hong Kong was established. The mixing of Eastern and Western cultures can be seen in the floor lamps. A blend of Victorian with Qing styles, one cannot help admiring the taste of the compradors during that period.

Six-panel screen (Ping Feng) Made in China Early 20th century 354 (H) x 264 (W) cm Donated by Mr. Ronald Poon The screen is a most beautiful and highly decorated combination of art and craft. A touch of Baroque can be seen on the top. Combining the styles of the East and the West, this screen fully reflects the taste of the upper class at that time.

	The home interior setting from the film Lady Lottery, 1960s Movies and television fed the people's fantasies of ideal homes: plenty of space, western styles and modern décor. Perhaps frustrating at the time, these dreams created pressure for innovations and improvements in contemporary housing and urban design

Domestic interior design by Mr. Raphael Chan An outstanding example of interior design, the elements are honed to a bare minimalism and incorporate functionality and artistry. The design gamed Merit in Domestic Interiors Design from the Chartered Society of Designers at Hong Kong Design Awards 1999.

	'Use Less Water' Published by Hong Kong Government 1970s 84.2(H) x 59.6(W)cm Donated by Mr. David Meredith Water shortages have been a constant problem for a lot of Hong Kong people. Queues in the street and people carrying buckets of water was scene that are not unfamiliar to many. This poster, although only two colors, effectively communicates the intended message.

'Keep all exits clear' Published by Hong Kong Government 1970-80s 84.2 (H) x 59.6(W) cm Donated by Mr. David Meredith Photography was commonly used in government publicity materials in the 70s. The situation in the photograph works together with 'fire precaution' logo to communicate simply and effectively.

Other Past Exhibitions