Beijing embroidery, also known as palace embroidery, is an ancient traditional craft of Han nation, which is the general name of embroidery products produced in Beijing. It is mainly used for palace decoration and clothing, famous for its exquisite materials, consummate skills and elegant style. The procedure is extremely exquisite and careful, which include seven basic steps.

(I) Primary design

Some of the embroidered patterns are designed according to the ancient Chinese traditional patterns, some of them are new and innovative, but they all adhere to the tenet that the patterns must have their meaning of being auspicious and pleasant.

(II) Pattern-drawing

When it comes to the embroidered patterns, attention must be paid to the positive meaning of the patterns.

(III) Plate-making

Make plates according to the pattern drawn before. Fine and smooth process is required when making plates.

(IV) Material-selecting

When selecting material for making Beijing embroidery, For the material of Beijing embroidery, the best satin is generally selected as the fabric with natural silk as the thread. In this way, the embroidered piece is light and soft, bringing a comfortable hand feeling.

(V) Color-matching

Beijing embroidery enjoys well-distributed color matching and flexible color transition. All kinds of patterns are widely used due to the complex use of embroidery thread color.

(VI) Stretching

Before starting embroidery, it is necessary to tightly stretch the embroidery piece on the frame, and then press and pull the frame.

(IV) Embroidering

Beijing embroidery stresses on meticulous embroidery, lively stitching, and elegant colors, with the characteristics of being “flat, neat, harmonious, bright, smooth and well-distributed”.

Visit Site: Daoxianghu Intangible Cultural Heritage Science Museum

Tel.: 010-62523780

Transportation: Taking Line 16 to Exit WS, Daoxianghu Station.

Address: No.28, Daoxianghu Road, Sujiatuo Town, Haidian District, Beijing

Carved lacquer

With the Beijing carved lacquer technique, the craftsman applies natural paint on the mold in a certain thickness, and then uses a knife to engrave the pattern on the piled flat lacquer mold. Products of carved lacquer feature plain and solemn shape, delicate ornamentation, bright luster, and elegant appearance. It is also of moisture-proof, heat, acid and alkali resistant, and not deteriorating, together with the property of non-deformation. It mirrors the superb craftsmanship and wisdom of craft artists in China, and exists as the treasure of Chinese traditional handicraft.

Works of Master Li Zhigang

Originated in the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), the carved lacquer finally settled in Beijing after the development in the Dynasties of Yuan, Ming and Qing due to the special political, economic and cultural background of Beijing. In the course of hundreds of years of development, it has merged and integrated the mastery of carved lacquer in south and north of China, becoming one of the outstanding representatives of Chinese painted lacquer crafts. In the thirtieth years of Emperor Guangxu’s reign (1904 AD), artists Xiao Le’an and Li Maolong opened the first modern folk lacquer manufacturing workshop in Beijing, named “Jiguzhai”. After 1949, Beijing government called together the folk successors of “Jiguzhai” to build carved lacquer production co-operatives. In 1958, it was transformed into Beijing Carved Lacquer Factory, which became the main place for the inheritance and development of Beijing carved lacquer craft.

Works of Master Li Zhigang

With various types and rich themes, the design and creation of the craft products often combine carving, painting and craftwork, enjoying a solemn and elegant artistry. It is irreplaceable in the improvement of people’s aesthetic literacy and beautification of life in modern society. As an indispensable important content for the study of Chinese traditional craft art, Beijing carved lacquer embodies China’s long history of lacquer craft culture tradition.

In the 1990s, the carved lacquer industry shrank and declined due to its transformed market, long production cycle, large investment and changed management system. Beijing Carved Lacquer Factory was only an empty title. Fewer and fewer real hand-carving products were made. The craftsmen were aging but there were no newcomers. All these were the cruel facts that the industry was facing. Under this circumstance, Beijing carved lacquer, which has lasted for hundreds of years, is on the verge of being lost.

Visit Site: Beijing Qi Baoge

Tel.: 13611364098

Transportation: Taking Line 5 to Exit SE, Tiantandongmen Station.

Address: Inside the East Gate of Longtanhu Park, Dongcheng District, Beijing