Chris Hall's Textile Collection Donated to Hong Kong Palace Museum

Chris Hall, a 74-year-old tax accountant, has donated his extensive collection of nearly 3,000 Chinese textiles to the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM). This significant donation aims to secure the future of his archive and make it accessible to the public through the exhibition titled *A History of China in Silk*. Hall's collection includes items ranging from imperial robes to textiles commemorating the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Daisy Wang, HKPM's deputy director of curatorial, collection, and programming, emphasized the transformative nature of this collection for the museum, noting the need to broaden the academic field of art history in China.

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Hall's interest in textiles began in childhood, influenced by his mother's attire and further ignited by a Sotheby’s auction he attended after returning to Hong Kong. His serious collecting started with a late 19th-century dragon robe, and over the years, he amassed a diverse collection that spans from the Tang dynasty (618-907) to contemporary pieces. Hall's collection reflects the evolution of textile craft technology, showcasing techniques such as block printing and resist dyeing. He has visited various institutes and villages to deepen his understanding of traditional textile-making methods.

Financial Times

Wang highlighted two categories of silk textiles: those made for international markets along the Silk Road and those crafted for domestic use, such as dragon robes and embroidered rank badges. Hall noted that assembling a collection like his today would be nearly impossible due to the scarcity of such items. He remarked on the rising prices of significant works, many of which are now held overseas, making it challenging for new collectors to acquire similar pieces.

Financial Times

While Hall's collection has been celebrated, there are concerns regarding the accessibility of such rare items for future collectors. The rising market prices and the limited availability of significant textiles may hinder new enthusiasts from building their collections. Hall himself acknowledged this challenge, stating that it would be difficult for anyone, regardless of financial means, to replicate his collection today.

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• “This collection is transformative for our collection,” — Daisy Wang, Deputy Director of Curatorial, Collection, and Programming, HKPM

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• “I think it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to put together a collection like mine today,” — Chris Hall

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• “It has more than a million stitches on it and it has retained its original colour because it survived above ground and not in a tomb” — Chris Hall on his favorite dragon robe

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• “No one valued the emperor’s underwear enough to keep it, whereas I have a collection of underwear,” — Chris Hall

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Chris Hall's donation to the Hong Kong Palace Museum not only enriches the museum's offerings but also raises awareness of the significance of Chinese textiles. As the field of textile art continues to evolve, Hall's collection serves as a vital resource for future research and appreciation of this cultural heritage.

Financial Times