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Chinese Embroidery: The Art of Needle and Thread
Chinese embroidery is a time-honored traditional handicraft that uses needles and threads to weave gorgeous patterns on silk, cotton and other fabrics, known as the “art of needle and thread”.
2026-09-12
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Chinese Oil Paper Umbrella: A Poetic Traditional Craft
The oil paper umbrella is a classic traditional folk handicraft in China, integrating practicality, artistry and cultural symbolism, with a history of more than 1,000 years. Originating in the Tang and Song Dynasties, it was once an indispensable daily rainproof tool for ancient Chinese people
2026-09-12
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The Four Treasures of the Study: Soul of Chinese Literati Craft
The Four Treasures of the Study, namely Huzhou ink brushes, Huizhou inksticks, Xuan paper and Duan inkstones, are the most classic and representative handicrafts in Chinese traditional literary and artistic culture. For thousands of years
2026-09-12
The Elegant Craft of Liling Underglaze Porcelain
Liling underglaze porcelain, a treasure of Chinese traditional ceramic craftsmanship, is a prestigious national intangible cultural heritage originating from Liling City, Hunan Province, known as the “millennium-old porcelain capital”. With a unique underglaze color technique and elegant artistic style, it has stood out among Chinese porcelains and become an important symbol of Chinese ceramic culture. Different from overglaze porcelain, all decorative patterns of Liling underglaze porcelain are painted under the transparent glaze, which endows the porcelain with durable color, bright luster and strong wear resistance.
The production process of Liling underglaze porcelain is extremely rigorous and elaborate, involving more than ten complex manual procedures including clay refining, wheel throwing, trimming, underglaze painting, glazing and high-temperature firing. Every step requires superb skills and rich experience of artisans. The core technique lies in underglaze painting: artisans use special mineral pigments to paint delicate patterns on the porcelain body, and after high-temperature firing above 1300 degrees Celsius, the pigments penetrate the porcelain body, forming soft and layered colors that never fade over time.
In terms of design, Liling underglaze porcelain perfectly integrates traditional Chinese aesthetics and practical functions. Its patterns mostly adopt classic themes such as mountains and rivers, flowers and birds, and auspicious totems, with smooth lines and fresh colors, showing a gentle and elegant oriental charm. In ancient times, it was often used as court tribute and diplomatic gift. In modern times, a new generation of young artisans keeps innovating, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern life aesthetics, developing daily tableware, decorative ornaments and cultural and creative products, making this ancient porcelain craft walk out of the museum and integrate into ordinary people’s daily lives.
