Standing Screen, Li Ailian, 19th century, Gift of Mrs. Elizabeth M. Smith

The Eaddo & Peter Kiernan Lecture
China and Newport: A Journey through Two Centuries
Tuesday, August 6th at 6pm EDT
Rosecliff, 548 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI
Free in-person or via Zoom

Join The Preservation Society of Newport County for China and Newport: A Journey through Two Centuries, one of their annual Eaddo & Peter Kiernan Lectures next Tuesday, August 6th. Their Curatorial Research Fellow, Dani Zhang, will discuss her exploration of Chinese artwork and objects, many produced for a Western market, held in the collection of The Preservation Society of Newport County. Through a close examination of materials, forms and motifs, she will illuminate the nuanced relationship between Chinese art, American collecting and display practices from the China Trade as part of the Gilded Age.

Many of these works were showcased in their groundbreaking exhibition at Rosecliff, The Celestial City: Newport and China, which has just been honored by the American Association for State and Local History with its Award of Excellence. This prestigious award is a tribute to the thorough and thoughtful work of their Curator of Collections, Dr. Nicole Williams, and staff researchers who uncovered untold stories of Newport’s history: the contributions of Chinese and Chinese American individuals to life in Newport from the 18th century through the Gilded Age. We congratulate them on this great honor!

To learn more and register for the lecture, click here.