Screen of Precious Stones – Singing for Macao’s Return 

Length: 2.2 m  Width: 0.48 m  Height: 1.7 m 

The gift was presented by the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to celebrate Macao’s return to the People’s Republic of China. The screen is made of 39 different types of gemstones, totalling 73,800 pieces, including pearl, agate, crystal, emerald, ruby, serpentine stone, tourmaline and black onyx sourced from the region. It was elaborately created through a complex process of cutting, polishing and inlaying. The decorated base and frame are made of high-quality rosewood. This piece is a fine example of Chinese folk art. 

On the upper part of the screen, a bridge connects the Elephant Mountain in Guilin city to the Ruins of St. Paul in Macao. A flock of wild geese flies home in the background, symbolising Macao’s return to the motherland. The lower part of the screen features 12 Chinese ethnic representatives dancing and singing, expressing the celebration of Guangxi people upon their reunion with Macao. 

The fretwork patterns surrounding the screen are in the shape of Chinese character ‘hui (return)’, representing not only the brotherhood between Guangxi and Macao but also the historic event of Macao’s return. The base of the frame is adorned with phoenixes, bronze drums, as well as patterns from the Huashan Cliff Paintings, symbolising the diverse ethnicities of the Guangxi people.