The 104th Annual General Meeting of the Oriental Ceramic Society took place on 10 June 2025 at the Society of Antiquaries, with 87 members joining both in person and via Zoom. We were deeply honoured by the presence of our Patron, HRH The Duke of Gloucester. His Royal Highness expressed his pleasure in serving as Patron of the Society, commending the Society’s role in deepening appreciation for Asian ceramics by fostering communication among members and facilitating the exchange of new research, insights, and technological developments.
Sarah Wong, in her first year as President, opened the meeting with a comprehensive review of the Society’s rich programme of lectures and cultural activities. 2024–2025 had been a busy and fulfilling year for the Society, which remained active and vibrant, thanks to its members. The running of the Society would not have been possible without the hard work of the Council and the support of our sponsors.
International Partnerships and Scholarship
In September 2024 the Society signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Society of International Ceramic Studies (SICS) in Jingdezhen, China. This agreement established a co-sponsored international exchange programme, offering scholarships to support young professionals and scholars in the field. The first recipient, selected under the leadership of Council Member Teresa Canepa, is currently conducting research in Jingdezhen.
Digital Improvements
A website refresh was led by Council member Alice Williamson, bringing updated visuals, an accessibility statement, and better user engagement through dynamic news features and Council member profiles.
Lecture Programme
The past season’s lecture programme was diverse and well attended, encompassing ceramics, jade, painting, and metalwork from East Asia and the Islamic world.
• Dr Xiaoxin Li of the V&A on a rare silver tablet for James Legge
• Prof. Christiaan Jörg on a Tang dynasty cup found in a Viking tomb
• Sir Michael Butler Memorial Lecture by Beth McKillop and Jane Portal on Korean ceramics
• Dr Mary Redfern of the V&A on ceramics in Japan’s imperial convents
• The Annual Sonia Lightfoot Lecture on Painting by Professor Craig Clunas of Oxford, on Two Chinese painters in Edwardian London and Belle Epoque Paris.
• The Annual Woolf Jade Lecture by Michael Lee on Hongshan jades
• Professor Scott Redford of SOAS on medieval Islamic ceramics
• The Dr H.Y. Mok Charitable Foundation Lecture by Dr Christine Ketel on Chinese porcelain for the 17th-century Dutch market
• The Shang Shan Tan lecture which followed the AGM by Professor Emeritus Nick Pearce, on the career of William Bowyer Honey
Recordings of all our lectures are available for members to view.
Handling Sessions and Cultural Tours
Handling sessions were offered at auction houses including Roseberys, Bennett and Dykes, Chiswick Auctions, Dreweatts, Bonhams and Priestley & Ferraro, as well as institutional hosts the British Museum and Durham University’s Oriental Museum. Members also had the privilege of a private viewing of Jonathan Woolf’s jade collection.
Three well-attended tours to Oxford and 2 tours to the Netherlands were highlights of the calendar, organised by Harry Douglas-Hamilton with invaluable local support and assistance from Clive Jacotine and Alan Ip.
Publications
Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society edited by Rosemary Scott, and the nearly 100-page Newsletter (Issue 33), edited by Teresa Canepa and Beth Gardener, continue to be pillars of the Society’s scholarly and community engagement. Advertisers were warmly thanked for their essential support.
Sponsorship and Finances
We remain deeply grateful to our regularly sponsored lectures and sponsors including:
The Sir Michael Butler Memorial Lecture sponsored by Katharine Butler
The Sonia Lightfoot Lecture on Paintings sponsored by John Lightfoot
The Dr Mok H. Y. Charitable Foundation Lecture
The Shang Shan Tang Lecture
The Woolf Jade lecture sponsored by the Woolf Charitable Trust
Woolley & Wallis
In addition, Sotheby’s, Lyon and Turnbull, Bonhams and Roseberys sponsored lectures this year.
With running costs for lectures rising significantly, we rely ever more on this sponsorship and we always welcome new sponsors.
Treasurer David Canty reported a healthy financial position with a surplus of £27,000 and reserved funds of £30,000. Membership fees will remain unchanged for the coming year.
Governance and Council Changes
We bid farewell and thank Council members Robert Bradlow, Ivy Chan, and Malcolm McNeill for their support of the Society.
We welcome Council members Helen Glaister, Kate Hunt, and Brian Salzberg. Reappointments include David Canty as Honorary Treasurer, Clive Jacotine as Honorary Secretary, and Ian Gaunt as Assistant Hon. Secretary.
Farewell and Welcome
The AGM marked the retirement of Alan Ip, the Society’s Secretary, whose behind-the-scenes dedication ensured smooth operations for years. We welcomed Helen Winskill as the new Secretary.