Qingtongqixiufujifuzhijiyi
01 · Historical Records
From the 1920s, Shanghai became the largest metropolis in the Far East, where large numbers of cultural relics and related talents gathered. The founder of the Shanghai bronze-ware restoration craft can be traced to "Wai Zui Yu," a clever artisan of bronze-ware restoration and imitation at the Imperial Workshop of the Qing dynasty's Interior Ministry in the late Qing; it was later transmitted through Zhang Taien and Wang Deshan to Wang Rongda, with many innovations and improvements to the restoration techniques.
02 · Core Techniques & Process
The Shanghai bronze-ware restoration craft takes Shanghai as its core area while radiating to most provinces and municipalities across the country. The reason the Shanghai bronze-ware restoration craft was able to be nurtured and developed in Shanghai is thanks to Shanghai's unique geographical advantage. The Shanghai bronze-ware restoration craft includes links such as cleaning, derusting, straightening, assembling, engraving patterns, mold-making, casting, filling missing parts, polishing, coloring, and antiquing; among these, high-precision plaster model and mold making and super-precision bronze casting for filling missing parts restore the original appearance of the object to the greatest extent in terms of shape, pattern, and material. While being transmitted, this item has been continuously improved, forming main characteristics of a perfect combination of materials and craft, deep study of the original vessel, and attention to cultural-relic safety and authenticity. The Shanghai bronze-ware restoration craft uses materials scientifically and reasonably, effectively eliminating bronze-ware diseases, prolonging the life of cultural relics, fully demonstrating the brilliance of Chinese civilization, and reflecting the outstanding creativity of the Chinese nation. Its attitude of ultimate rigor and its development history of integration and innovation are an excellent interpretation of the craftsmanship spirit and creativity of the Chinese nation.
Cleaning and ultrasonic derusting
The first step is to clear dirt and loose corrosion; ultrasonic derusting, used first in China for this purpose, is combined with traditional washing.
Straightening and joining
Distorted vessels are straightened and fragments joined, with seams matching the original thickness and later colour work.
Carving the decoration
Lost ornament is recarved following the original stroke direction so that new and old work cannot be told apart.
Moulding and ultra-precision casting
High-precision plaster moulds and ultra-precision bronze casting restore missing parts in form, pattern and material as closely as possible.
Grinding, colouring and ageing
Grinding, colouring and ageing close the process; the tone must settle the new additions and blend into the original patina.
3D printing and laser cleaning
Ultrasonic derusting, 3D printing and laser cleaning were introduced here first, paired with traditional methods for both artistry and accuracy.
03 · Regional Records & Related Items
The technology of bronze cultural-relic restoration and replication has a long history, giving rise to different technical schools in different regions. Taking into account multiple requirements such as preservation, aesthetics, and scientificity is the greatest characteristic of this school's craft.
Other submitting regions for the same item: Qingtongqixiufujifuzhijiyi.
04 · Cultural Value & Contemporary Safeguarding
The Shanghai Museum brought together skilled artisans good at antique restoration who were scattered among the people into the museum, promoting the practical development and experience summarization of the Shanghai bronze-ware restoration craft. The inheritors are comprehensive and superb in technique, and took the lead domestically in applying technologies such as ultrasonic derusting, 3D printing, and laser cleaning; while closely integrating with traditional craft, they also balance the artistic and scientific nature of the restoration effect, standing unique in the country. Wang Rongda was hired by the Shanghai Museum in 1958, since when he founded the Shanghai-style bronze cultural-relic restoration school with distinct characteristics, training restorers in the form of traditional mentorship, and to this day there have been four generations. The Shanghai Museum has trained a large number of backbone bronze restorers for cultural and museum institutions across the country by holding training classes, and at the same time benefited many places through methods such as apprenticeship teaching and technical support; in particular, it has played an important role in talent cultivation and technical support for institutions in places with weak technical forces and remote locations. In recent years, the Shanghai Museum has established cooperative relations with restoration majors in universities, actively cultivating reserve talents. Through lectures, exhibitions, and other activities actively carried out by the inheritors, the cultural appeal carried by this craft has also produced extensive social influence.
05 · Associated Representative Bearers
Representative bearers recorded under this item, organized by national nomination batch:
- Wang Youliang 04-1926
- Yunxiaogang 05-2881
- Lvtuanjie 05-2882
- Zhang Peichen
06 · Authoritative Sources & Bibliography
Sources
China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network (ihchina.cn)
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