Built in the 1840s, Flagstaff House is a reminder of Hong Kong's colonial heritage. Formerly the office and residence of the commander of the British forces in Hong Kong, it is now one of the oldest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the city.
Its first occupant was Major General G. S. D'Aguilar, who served as commander of British troops in China from 1844 to 1846 and served as Lieutenant Governor. Flagstaff House continued to be the commander's residence until 1978, when it was handed over to the Hong Kong government. During World War II, the house was bombed twice by the Japanese, but was quickly repaired as the building was requisitioned by the occupation forces.
For a time, Flagstaff House housed the marriage registration office. Today, the structure occupies a place of honour within Hong Kong Park, and is still one of the favourite backdrops for wedding photographs. The house was converted into the Tea Ware Museum and a branch of the Hong Kong Museum of Art in 1984, with a new exhibition in a separate wing added in 1995.
This is the world's first museum specialising in the study and display of tea ware. The core of the museum's collection was donated by a connoisseur, Dr C.S. Lo. The exhibition includes about 600 pieces of tableware from the Western Zhou period (11th century B.C.-771 B.C.E.) to the 20th century. Half of the collection consists of porcelain tea ware, including bowls, cups, teapots and jugs, while the other half includes objects, sculptures and objects from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) to the present day. A small number of Japanese and European wares are also on display to emphasise the influence that Chinese tea ware has had on the lives of other countries.
In addition to exhibitions, the museum hosts regular workshops, tea ceremonies and lectures on Chinese tea drinking culture.
