HONG KONG APOTHECARY - A VISUAL HISTORY OF CHINESE MEDICINE PACKAGING

The packaging of Chinese patent medicines has evolved from a strong and dynamic tradition that has yielded a vocabulary of basic forms. Of these, there are seven traditional basic forms, namely, Gao (plasters), Tan (pellets), Wan (pills), San (powder), Cha (tea), Yeow (oil) and Jiu (wine). These forms had a direct influence on the modes, materials, typefaces, patterns, and compositions adopted in packaging. A Visual Journey Through Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Packaging is the consummation of Go's four years of research into traditional Chinese medicine packaging through interviewing, collecting and studying Chinese Medicine manufacturers and neighbouring folk since 1997. Richly illustrated with graphical design motifs, this fascinating book documents the contemporary changes and development in the packaging of Chinese patent medicines and the retrospective changes in some Chinese medicine shops since the mid-19th century.