Exhibition showcases progress

The 70th-anniversary retrospective exhibition is structured around three main themes — Marching with the Times, Harnessing the Power of Arts and Crafts and Offering a Tribute to the Nation.

The Marching with the Times section showcases a series of pieces with distinctive characteristics of different eras — from the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China when everything needed rebuilding to the vitality that followed the reform and opening-up and the prosperity of the new era.

"The craftsmen of Beijing have, through their immortal skills, captured moments of history and fragments of life, making them eternal," Wang says.

The Flower-Basket Plate, a three-dimensional carved lacquerwork, is at the front and center of the section, representing a breakthrough in the traditional craft that has been passed down for nearly 2,000 years.

"With a diameter of 38 centimeters and a thickness of 5 centimeters, the piece by master Du Bingchen achieves not only a richly detailed effect but also greatly enhances the three-dimensionality, spatial depth and artistic expression of lacquer art," Wang says.

It took Du 20 years to master the hollow carving technique, which involves adding more than 500 layers of lacquer to the brass base as opposed to the traditional dozens of layers.

Each layer of the brilliant vermilion lacquer requires 4-5 hours to partially dry, making it a lengthy process.

"While the lacquer is semi-dry, intricate designs are applied, followed by carving, shaving and engraving using special tools," Wang explains.

The plate's central motif features a bamboo-like woven basket filled with flowers, including peonies, peach and plum blossoms and chrysanthemums.