At the turn of the Qin and Han dynasties, Zhao Tuo founded the Nanyue Kingdom, introducing advanced technologies, cultural practices, and social structures from the Central Plains to Lingnan. This catalyzed a leap in regional development and ushered Lingnan into a civilized era. The pottery shards presented here bear witness to this transformative period—reflecting levels of productivity, cultural integration, and the flourishing society shaped by Han–Yue interactions.

In 1907, inscribed pottery shards from the Nanyue Kingdom were discovered in Dongshan during the construction of the Guangzhou–Kowloon Railway, marking the first such find in Lingnan. Over the past century, local scholars including Pan Liuru, Cai Shou, Wang Zhaoyong, Pan He, Deng Erya, Huang Wenkuan, and Wang Guichen have contributed to the excavation, research, and preservation of these important cultural relics, making sustained efforts to promote Lingnan culture.

In 1990, Mr. Wang Guichen donated all 363 Nanyue pottery shards he had painstakingly collected over many years to the Guangdong Museum. From this collection, 102 selected pieces—including fine examples, their ink rubbings, related documents, and objects loaned by the Nanyue King Museum—are featured in this exhibition. The aim is to illuminate the cultural roots of Lingnan and to honor Mr. Wang’s spirit of selfless generosity.