When ceramics were used to make music

It was during the mid-Tang Dynasty (618-907) period that a unique form of music became popular in Ningbo in Zhejiang province, before spreading to the imperial capital, Chang'an. It was known as ou yue, and it made use of celadon porcelain vases and bowls of varying sizes to make music.

The style was a natural evolution, as Ningbo is the birthplace of Yue ware, graceful gray or brownish green ceramics with a creamy texture, and which were prized in far-off royal palaces.

Ou yue eventually faded into the depths of history but recently, people in Ningbo have been trying to revive the form. Players from Ningbo recently gave a demonstration of the ceramic musical instruments in Beijing, filling the vessels with different amounts of water to produce different notes.

The performances drew applause from the audience at the National Center for the Performing Arts, which has been promoting cultural heritage from across the country in different ways.

The ou yue performance was the center's latest endeavor to introduce folklore to the city.

It has also placed a majestic sedan chair on display, which was especially made for the use of brides on their wedding day. In the past, parents from well-to-do households would order the making of one of these luxurious vehicles when they had a baby girl.

Part of the collection of the Zhejiang Museum, the chair is decorated with intricate woodwork, vibrantly painted, with carvings of characters from fairy tales and folk stories, and lacquered.