Editor's Note:

Ancient artifacts,mk silent carriers of a country's memories and national spirit, offer valuable insights into the appreciation of culture.

Every year, over a billion visits are made to museums across China. In addition to large-scale comprehensive institutions, specialized museums also offer insights into cities, societies and their people.

The Global Times culture desk is proud to present the "Museum Wonders" series, designed to showcase how these cultural gems illustrate the essence of Chinese civilization and promote its great wisdom.

An interior view of the Beijing Arts and Crafts Museum Photos: VCG

An ongoing cross-year exhibition featuring Beijing Eight Imperial Handicrafts is the latest effort by the Beijing Arts and Crafts Museum (BACM) to provide the public with an in-depth understanding of the craftsmanship and ingenuity behind the intangible cultural heritage. 

While committed to carrying on traditional craftsmanship, the museum has been dedicated to engaging young people with traditional culture through regular workshops and cultivating the next generation of artisans in partnership with vocational schools.  

The museum is like a thriving tree, rooted in the soil of cultural heritage and it continues to sprout new innovative artwork created by younger generations of inheritors, Zhou Luyu, a staff member of the museum, told the Global Times.

Established in 1987, the museum is the first professional arts and crafts museum in China established by a corporation, and it stands as a representative institution in the field. The museum's collection boasts over 3,000 exquisite pieces (or sets) spanning various dynasties, including 702 items classified as national first, second, and third-level cultural relics. Among these, rare and precious pieces dedicated to the "Eight Beijing Imperial Handicrafts," particularly from the 1950s to 1980s, have received widespread acclaim. 

A jade vase on display at the museum

Exquisite skills

The ongoing exhibition, which will run until February 28, aims to build a bridge connecting the past and the future, allowing visitors to gain a first-hand experience of the timeless craftsmanship passed down through generations and feel the unique charm of the eight imperial handicrafts. 

For the first time, some of the master craftsmen's original manuscripts are on display to offer the public a deeper understanding of the creative stories and craftsmanship behind the eight imperial crafts. These manuscripts capture the sparks of inspiration and exquisite techniques from the creative process, providing a unique opportunity to appreciate the spirit of craftsmanship and explore the true essence of art, Zhou noted.

Beijing Eight Imperial Handicrafts, also known as Yanjing Bajuebecause Yanjing is one of the old names of Beijing, are namely Jingtailan (Cloisonne), Carved Lacquer, Jade Carving, Palace Carpet, Gold Lacquer Inlaid, Filigree Inlaid Metal Art, Ivory Carving (now Bone Carving), and Beijing Embroidery. They once reached the peak of handicraft quality in ancient China, when they were used only by the Royal family, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

All of the eight crafts are listed as national intangible cultural heritage. Thanks to the efforts of generations of masters, those handicrafts have been preserved well and given a new life. From the 108 steps in making a piece of Jingtailan, to carving the antenna of a katydid out of a bone and sculpting delicate figures on the half-dry lacquer, the exhibits are a feast of the exquisite skills of the artisanal tradition, Zhou said. "The ingenuity lies in the artisan's wit in turning a flawed jade into a craft by leveraging its rough side and color," she noted. 

One of the prized treasures of the museum is a jade vase carved from a 30-kg jade raw stone that features shapes such as cucumbers, beans, radishes and cicada carved along the colorful veins of the jade.

Made in 1959, this artwork represents the pinnacle of the arts and crafts industry, symbolizing the development of the times and the contribution made to economic recovery by light industry exports in the 1950s, according to Zhou. 

Two cloisonne works at the BACM Photo: Wu Jie/GT

Engaging the youth

The exhibition uses innovative technologies such as holographic display cabinets, virtual reality displays and AI generated content cameras to showcase the charm of the artisanal tradition, offering visitors an immersive experience. 

Through the fusion of ancient craftsmanship and modern intelligent technologies, visitors can both appreciate the unique charm and profound cultural significance of traditional arts and also gain a deeper understanding of how the spirit of craftsmanship has been preserved and passed down through the ages, despite the changing times, Wang Xiu, a staff member of the museum, told the Global Times. 

To attract the younger generations, the museum has been devoted to integrating imperial artistry with modern utility, making it easily accessible to ordinary people. "We hope to draw inspiration from our intangible cultural heritage and keep fostering public cultural confidence," Zhou said. 

House of imperial handicrafts

House of imperial handicrafts