The Albuquerque Foundation: From Private Collection to Dynamic Public Institution for the Study of Chinese Ceramics
Dr Mok H. Y. Charitable Foundation Lecture
Speaker: Becky MacGuire
Brazilian Renato de Albuquerque spent almost 50 years carefully building a vast collection focused on the cultural interchange embodied in Chinese ceramics and other Asian export arts. Now that collection has come to life as a dynamic institution that will study, preserve and interpret the collection, transforming it into a resource for scholars and the public alike.
An 18th century quinta just outside Sintra, Portugal that had been an Albuquerque family retreat has been completely renovated to anchor the Foundation’s campus, which now includes a soaring-roofed glass pavilion housing the museum galleries and state-of-the-art storage facilities. A new stand-alone gallery is dedicated to contemporary ceramics, highlighting the evolving nature of the art form.
At the heart of the Foundation’s programming will be revolving exhibitions of the historic collection. Rich in early Portuguese orders and other significant examples of Chinese export ceramics, the collection also explores the many other categories of ceramics–from Tang dynasty to late Qing–that reflect the artistic exchange of global trading networks. This talk will introduce the Foundation and its collection and tour its inaugural exhibition.
Members do not need to book to attend this lecture.
5:30 pm – Society of Antiquaries opens for members’ refreshments
6:15 pm – Lecture begins
This lecture is sponsored by Dr Mok H. Y. Charitable Foundation and the Albuquerque Foundation collection
Venue Accessibility Information
The Society of Antiquaries welcomes wheelchairs and mobility vehicles however since the main entrance consists of steps they will provide a ramp. Essential companions are also welcome and Hearing Loops are built into the Lecture Room AV system. There are no designated disabled toilets but toilets are located on the ground floor.
For more information visit Accessibility.
For all other accessibility enquires contact
Image: Francisco Nogueira
Speaker
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Becky MacGuireIndependent author and researcherBecky MacGuire is an independent author and researcher specializing in Asian export art. Her 2024 publication, Four Centuries of Blue & White: The Frelinghuysen Collection of Chinese & Japanese Export Porcelain will be followed in Fall 2026 by Foreign Colors: The Nesbitt Collection of Chinese Export Porcelain 1800-1850 (Ad Ilissum Books, London). An honors graduate of the University of California Berkeley in art history, MacGuire also completed the program of the Study Centre for the Fine and Decorative Arts at the V&A Museum. She served as guest curator for the inaugural exhibition of The Albuquerque Foundation in Sintra, Portugal.
