Guarding lacquerware's lustrous legacy

Gan's mastery of the mirror finish on interior surfaces is unprecedented, enabling his pieces to possess reflective qualities similar to ancient bronze mirrors. "Such refinement was unimaginable even in ancient times. This represents our ultimate pursuit of craftsmanship," he proudly states.

"Looking at these lacquerware pieces, we see not only the inheritance of China's traditions, but also modern aesthetics and a contemporary radiance shining through," says Zhang Lan, former director of Shanghai History Museum.

Gan views the revival of ancient lacquer crafts as a multipronged endeavor — providing technical training to apprentices to ensure generational continuity; fostering public appreciation of this Chinese cultural heritage in daily life; securing government policy support and funding; and promoting the craft worldwide.

"Our mission is to share the profound beauty of Chinese lacquer not only with our countrymen but with the entire world, allowing all to witness the brilliance of our traditional culture," Gan says.

His dedication has earned recognition at home and abroad. In 2011, one of his rhinoceros leather lacquered round boxes was inducted into the permanent collection at Beijing's Palace Museum. His works have appeared at Christie's auctions in 2014 and 2015 and were featured in an exhibition at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris this July.