A set of gold plates bearing 12 Chinese zodiac animals are recently released by the National Museum of China. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

The National Museum of China launched a new merchandise set of zodiac gold plates on Thursday in Beijing. The new products will be available in the museum's store in November.

The set is the museum's first collaboration with Shanghai Free Trade Zone's international artwork exchange center who was licensed by the museum to design its merchandise products.

A set of gold plates bearing 12 Chinese zodiac animals are recently released by the National Museum of China. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

Each of the gold plates bears one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals whose images are derived from these animal patterns of State-level antiques kept at the National Museum of China. For instance the sheep was modeled after the head of four sheep of the famous Si Yang Fang Zun bronze wine cup of the Shang Dynasty (c. 16th century-11th century BC).

The plates were crafted by several masters of arts and crafts whose hand works blend traditional techniques with modern tastes.

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