An exhibition of Chinese ceramics made by artists that worked in Macao late in the Qing Dynasty has opened in Lisbon, Xinhua reports.

The Chinese government-run news agency says the artists were from Europe or the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, which abuts Macao.

The report says the dozens of exhibits, most being shown abroad for the first time, illustrate how life was lived in that period of history.

It quotes Macao Chinese Culture and Art Association President Ambrose So Shu Fai as saying at the opening of the exhibition on Thursday that Chinese ceramics and paintings came to Europe through Macao, which served even then as a conduit for goods made in the Chinese style.

Mr So’s association and the International Institute of Macao are jointly putting on the two-week exhibition, Xinhua says.