A new exhibition at Durham University’s Oriental Museum will explore how women in late Qing China dressed, ate, worked and spent their leisure time during a period of upheaval and rapid change.
Everyday Elegance: Daily Lives of Women in Late Qing China will run from 16 May to 20 September 2026. The exhibition will be open from 12 noon to 4pm, and admission is free.
What visitors will see
The exhibition focuses on women living in urban communities between 1800 and 1912, placing their daily experiences within the wider history of the Late Qing period. The calendar description says China’s population was approximately 450 million during this era, when people lived through uprisings, invasions and natural disasters.
Rather than concentrating only on life inside the imperial court, the display examines women who navigated traditional expectations while adapting to a changing society. Objects on show include silver hairpins, wood cake moulds and gilt lacquer boxes, alongside an embroidered and appliquéd cloud collar from the Qing dynasty, dated 1800–1900.
According to Durham University, these practical and decorative objects show how women expressed their individuality creatively. They also provide evidence of women’s contributions to their families and communities, beyond the duties traditionally expected of them.
The Huang Kam Chak Yee Collection
The exhibition marks the public debut of the Huang Kam Chak Yee Collection, which contains more than 300 objects collected by Mrs Huang Kam Chak Yee over 40 years.
The collection offers glimpses into everyday life in late Qing China, while also reflecting Mrs Huang’s interests, life and philosophies. Durham University says it was donated to the Oriental Museum by her husband, Dr Chenya Huang, in 2024.
The donation was accompanied by a gift supporting research into the collection and the refurbishment of the Oriental Museum. In recognition of that gift, the exhibition will coincide with the official dedication of the Huang Kam Chak Yee Gallery, named in honour of Mrs Huang.
Plan a visit
Everyday Elegance: Daily Lives of Women in Late Qing China will be held at the Oriental Museum in Durham from 16 May to 20 September 2026. The listed opening hours are 12 noon to 4pm, and the exhibition is free to visit.
Visitors seeking further information can contact the Oriental Museum at [email protected].
