The splendor of gold lacquer inlays, the exquisite elegance of filigree inlays, the dazzling brilliance of cloisonné, and the intricate craftsmanship of ivory carvings. On June 10, the "The Marvels of  Craftsmanship: Selected Pieces of Beijing’s Eight Imperial Handicrafts" opened at the East Exhibition Hall of the National Centre for the Performing Arts Art Museum. The exhibition brings together numerous masterpieces of Beijing’s Eight Imperial Handicrafts, showcasing the profoundness of traditional Chinese handicrafts and the unique charm of imperial court culture.

The "Beijing’s Eight Palace Handicrafts" include gold lacquer inlays, filigree inlays, cloisonné, ivory carving, jade carving, lacquer carving, Beijing embroidery, and palace carpets. These crafts represent the culmination of royal craftsmanship, refined over centuries through the efforts of imperial artisans from various dynasties. The special exhibition is divided into three sections: "Beijing’s Eight Imperial Handicrafts," "Ancient Charm and Heritage," and "Perpetual Craftsmanship." It features over a hundred masterpieces by more than fifty master artisans and inheritors of intangible cultural heritage, showcasing the diverse beauty of intangible cultural heritage through various artistic expressions. The exhibition also conveys the spirit and dedication of the inheritors embedded in these crafts.

As you enter the exhibition hall, the first piece that catches your eye is a magnificent inlaid silk flower screen. The screen features 99 small "shou" (longevity) characters, each written in a different style, encircling a central, larger "shou" character. The central "shou" is composed of 56 different flowers and fruits, symbolizing the 56 ethnic groups of China, conveying blessings through the unique "language of flowers."

This exhibition is part of the National Centre for the Performing Arts' "Approaching Intangible Cultural Heritage" series. Liu Lan, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the National Centre for the Performing Arts, stated that the Beijing’s Eight Imperial Handicrafts are a valuable heritage left by our ancestors and an outstanding representation of the ancient capital's culture and Beijing's local culture. "In the new era, the proper inheritance and development of Beijing's intangible cultural heritage are of great cultural significance for highlighting the historical and cultural value of the capital and showcasing its unique characteristics, which include the style of the capital, the charm of the ancient city, and the features of contemporary times. We hope this exhibition can support the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage in a new way, allowing more people to understand, approach, and love intangible cultural heritage."

The exhibition will run until August 4th, and visitors can enter the exhibition hall with a National Centre for the Performing Arts admission ticket.

Translator: BAI Jing

Reviewer: SHEN Ruixuan