The MGM MACAU’s POLY MGM MUSEUM will open “Luminous Brilliance: The Artistry of Zibo Liuli” tomorrow, National Day, showcasing nearly 180 historic and contemporary glass artworks tracing 3,000 years of Chinese glassmaking and cultural exchange.
Running until March 31, 2027, the exhibition is presented in conjunction with the National Museum of China and the Zibo Ceramics and Glass Museum, exploring the development of liuli*, traditional Chinese glass art, and Zibo’s reputation as the “Hometown of Chinese Glass”.
Zibo is a city in central Shandong province, bordering the provincial capital Jinan to the west, Tai’an to the southwest, Linyi to the south, Weifang to the east, Dongying to the northeast, and Binzhou to the north.
The exhibition features three thematic chapters: “Forging a Millennium Legacy”, “Eternal Iridescence” and “Exquisite Objects of Timeless Elegance”. Together, they examine the historical evolution of Chinese glassmaking, the artistic use of colour and contemporary glass craftsmanship.
The first chapter traces ancient glass artefacts from the Warring States period to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), alongside Roman and Sasanian glass objects illustrating cultural and technological exchanges along the Silk Road.
The second chapter explores five traditional Eastern colour spectrums – yellow, red, white, blue and green – through works created using techniques including glassblowing, lost-wax casting, inside painting, and carving.
The final chapter focuses on lampworking, a glass-forming technique that uses a flame reaching about 1,200 degrees Celsius to create intricate shapes. The technique is recognised as intangible cultural heritage in Shandong.
According to a statement by MGM yesterday, the museum will incorporate interactive displays and digital interpretation through holographic display cases developed by Poly Culture, alongside a craft zone illustrating the glassmaking process, from raw material selection and kiln firing to carving and finishing.
Located on Level 2 of MGM MACAU in Nape, the museum opens from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at weekends. In October, Saturday opening hours will extend to 8:00 p.m. Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time.
*Liuli (琉璃 – “coloured glass”) is a traditional Chinese coloured art glass and ancient lost-wax glass-casting craft with a history of over 2,000 years. – Gemini, DeepSeek
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This poster downloaded from the MGM website promotes the “Luminous Brilliance: The Artistry of Zibo Liuli” exhibition which opens tomorrow at MGM MACAU in Nape.
