Museums, Musical Iconography, and Cultural Intersections: Exploring the Vinyl Record Collection of the Kwok on Collection

The Chinese Opera Vinyl Records are part of the extensive Kwok On Collection (Museu do Oriente, Portugal), holding significant value for collectors, scholars, and enthusiasts alike. Despite their importance, they have been relatively overlooked until now and have yet to find their righful place within the Museum’s physical and artistic spaces. Currently housed in the local Documentation Center, these records are not included in the OPAC catalogue. This essay serves as an introductory exploration of the vinyl record collec- tion, focusing on the visual content of the album covers and their significance within musical iconography. It examines these depictions from a perspective rooted in the culture industry, highlighting the captivating allure of front covers as powerful marketing tools, particularly in attracting both Eastern and Western consumers with their vibrant characters, costumes, and repertoire.