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Some carved lacquer ware has returned to Beijing’s Molon traditional handicraft base, after a nearly half-century absence, and is putting in an appearance at the 2014 China Beijing International Cultural & Creative Industry Expo, which opened on Dec 11.
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A carved lacquer ware on display at a museum in Molon Cultural and Creative Industries Park on Dec 10. [Photo by Wang Sujuan/China Daily] |
Experts say the art form dates back more than 1,000 years and the cost of materials and difficulty of the technique have determined its value. Before the 20th century, it was used only as a palace decoration or expensive gift.
When an American, Erwin Jaeger, visited China, in 1972, during US President Nixon’s visit, he was attracted by the delicacy of the Molon lacquer ware and bought many pieces to ship to the United States. Then, in 2005, the 97-year-old Jaeger donated all of them to the Sino-American Cultural Exchange, and, a year later, a Chinese American bought them and sent them to Molon.
Now, the 350 pieces on display at the expo are being shown for the first time in China, with an elegance, color, and sophisticated design, Molon Cultural and Creative Industries Park officials say.
Also on prominent display at the Beijing expo in the Molon venue are handicrafts used at this year’s APEC Beijing summit, including tea and coffee sets, wine vessels and cutlery designed exclusively for the VIPs at the summit. Three APEC national gifts -- a "Universal Peace and Prosperity" vase, a "Flowers" purse set, and the "Harmonious and Happy" silver plate – are also on display for people to see so they can learn about the craft and traditional Chinese handicrafts, the Molon officials say.
The Molon area in fact is a combination of exhibits, R&D, and business and is on its way to becoming one of China’s most influential artwork centers, with the focus on top daily-use porcelain.
