Source: CCTV.com

02-18-2009 08:47

Staying with the theme of China's wide array of intangible cultural heritage. Today, we introduce one of the oldest crafts from China's ancient period, the restoration of calligraphy and paintings.

At the intangible cultural heritage show in Beijing, one of the most popular stalls is that of Rongbaozhai, a well-established dealer of antique paintings and calligraphy works.

At the intangible cultural heritage show in Beijing, one of the most popular stalls is that of Rongbaozhai, a well-established dealer of antique paintings and calligraphy works. Ms. Li Shuzhen moved her workshop there, performing the miracle of converting battered items like folding fans to their former artistic glory.

According to Li, the first step is to take off the paper from the fan frame. Then, the individual pieces are joined together before being mounted to a whole piece of paper of similar hue. In cases where pieces of the painting are missing, an artist's touch is required to fill in the lines and colors.

In cases where pieces of the painting are missing, an artist's touch is required to fill in the lines and colors.

This craft goes back centuries, when paintings and calligraphy works were widely collected in the Ming Dynasty. Rongbaozhai has salvaged numerous antique artworks with the help of this craft.

At the exhibition, Li Shuzhen also demonstrated Rongbaozhai's technology of making painting reproductions. To ensure the original look, they make a point of using the same paper, ink, and paint as the original. It takes 17 steps to create a single reproduction.

Editor:Zhao Yanchen