A landmark exhibition, celebrating the seven-decade long legacy of Mongolia’s porcelain industry, is open at the Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum, offering audiences a rare opportunity to explore one of the nation’s most significant artistic traditions. Titled “Mongolian Porcelain 70 Years”, the exhibition presents the extensive and meticulously curated collection of Artist and Researcher Kh.Batpurev, whose lifelong dedication to documenting and preserving the history of porcelain craftsmanship has resulted in one of the most comprehensive archives of its kind.
The exhibition brings together nearly 500 pieces, creating a captivating journey through seven decades of Mongolian porcelain production. Rather than organizing the works into simple categories, the curators have woven a narrative that connects international porcelain marks, vintage postcards, commemorative envelopes, historical photographs, and finished porcelain artworks into one continuous story. This approach allows visitors to see not only the evolution of the craft itself but also the social, cultural, and industrial developments that shaped it.
One of the most notable pieces on display is a 1991 commemorative vase adorned with a finely detailed portrait of Chinggis Khaan. Produced as a special-order item at the Mongolian Porcelain Factory and valued at 1,500 MNT at the time, the vase reveals the technical ambition and artistic courage that characterized the factory during a period of immense political and economic transition. Alongside it will be early hand-painted works created by the factory’s first specialists from China—artists whose skill and expertise laid the foundation for Mongolia’s own distinctive porcelain style. These pieces serve not only as artistic treasures but also as historical documents that illustrate the early collaboration between Mongolian and Chinese artisans.
Visitors will also see rare archival materials that trace the daily operations of the factory, including photographs of workers, their tools, and the production lines that produced both everyday household items and high-value decorative pieces. These images provide an intimate glimpse into the lives of the people whose craftsmanship helped build an industry that remains culturally significant even as factory production has declined in recent decades.
Organizers emphasize that the exhibition aims to reignite public interest in porcelain art at a time when handcraft traditions around the world face growing challenges. By presenting both the artistic value and the historical depth of Mongolia’s porcelain heritage, the exhibition encourages viewers to appreciate the skill, patience, and creativity behind every piece.
The exhibition will be open to the public until November 30, welcoming visitors from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends.
