Xinhua News Agency's documentary "Thousand Forging and Hundred Tempering" has been released. Ruimao Copper Art inherits traditional metal forging and engraving techniques, bringing intangible cultural

The documentary "Bringing Intangible Cultural Heritage into Daily Life: Metal Engraving Through Repeated Hammering and Refinement" by Xinhuanet has gained the love of many netizens since its release. On the same day, the number of views on the Xinhuanet platform soared to one million. 

Xinhuanet, a comprehensive news information service portal website hosted by Xinhua News Agency, the state news agency, is the most influential online media in China and a Chinese-language website with global influence. The documentary "Bringing Intangible Cultural Heritage into Daily Life: 'Hammering and Refining' Metal Engraving" this time visited the intangible cultural heritage protection unit, Ruimao Copper Art, to experience the charm of traditional metal engraving techniques of intangible cultural heritage and spread the spirit of traditional culture.

Metal forging and chiseling: Forging is the foundation, and chiseling is the soul. The hammer and chisel kept moving on the surface of the copper sheet, outlining either lively or ancient patterns, and the cold and hard texture of the metal gradually disappeared. Through repeated hammering with a hammer, the craftsman carves out lines of varying depths and thicknesses on the copper sheet. These lines interweave and connect with each other, outlining a series of vivid and lively metal paintings.

The traditional metal forging and engraving technique originated from the imperial workshops in Beijing and has been passed down through four generations, with a clear lineage of inheritance:

The first generation: During the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty, the brothers Shi Rong and Shi Fu;

The second generation: Shi Xingfei (1912-2007), founder of Beijing Metal Arts and Crafts Factory, first factory director, and Master Meng Deren;

The third generation: Meng Deren (1961 to present), a first-class master of arts and crafts, and the sole contemporary inheritor of the craftsmanship of the Manufacturing Office.

The fourth generation: Chen Minghua (a disciple of Meng Deren and the founder of Ruimao Copper Art) has been engaged in the art for 20 years. He has expanded the traditional metal forging and engraving techniques into modern art such as copper doors, copper sculptures, and Copper Reliefs, which are widely used in indoor and outdoor copper decoration and large-scale architectural metal sculpture art. He has received full recognition and praise from relevant experts at home and abroad, and his influence at home and abroad has gradually expanded.

According to Chinese historical records and the verification of cultural relics, the metal forging and engraving technique has a history of several thousand years. Because it is time-consuming and material-consuming, most of the engraved objects were used in the imperial court and Buddhist places.

 

The traditional metal forging and engraving techniques emphasize meticulousness and vastness. After over a hundred years of craftsmanship inheritance, from the gold wares used by emperors to the doors of houses with bells and tripods, from indoor and outdoor copper decorations to large-scale Copper Sculptures of urban landmark buildings, it is still constantly being passed down, innovated and developed.

 

National Version Repository of China

The design of the copper door of the National Version Repository of China is based on the repository's record of history and witnessing of civilization, highlighting the grand meaning of "collecting books and treasures". The copper decorative surface relief is hand-forged and engraved, with a concave-convex pattern that conforms to aesthetic design matching and reflects the beauty of traditional culture.

China National Museum of Arts and Crafts · China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum

The glass and copper doors of the China National Arts and Crafts Museum and the China National Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum feature a "multi-compartment" design. The creative inspiration for this design comes from the traditional Chinese art and craft masterpiece, the multi-compartment square box, symbolizing the internal collection and display of national-level artistic treasures.

The new landmark of Ji 'an, the copper sculpture of the Nine-Dragon Lantern

Ruimao Copper Art designed and created based on the prototype of the Ji 'an Nine-Dragon Lantern. Master Meng Deren, a two-generation inheritor of traditional metal forging and engraving techniques, along with his disciple Chen Minghua, through the integration of metal forging and engraving techniques, painting techniques, and sculpture techniques, painstakingly forged a 33.17-meter-long landmark copper sculpture of the Ji 'an Nine-Dragon Lantern.

Copper door and copper decoration of the new building of the Second Historical Archives of China

The design concept of the new building of the Second Historical Archives of China is to echo the interior and exterior, trace back to tradition, and embrace diversity. The copper door and copper lattice decoration at the main entrance of the building combine the ancient copper with a retro style, reflecting the cultural heritage.

Huawei's 98-meter copper tower in Songshan Lake

Huawei Songshan Lake 98-meter copper Tower, handcrafted by Ruimao Copper Art, sets a benchmark for "Made in China" with its outstanding quality.

Time silently passes with each hammer and chisel, and it repeatedly strikes on each copper plate, giving it warmth and vitality. Every classic work embodies the dynamic wisdom of traditional handicrafts.

 

Chen Minghua, the fourth-generation inheritor of traditional metal forging and engraving techniques, has founded Ruimao Copper Art for nearly 20 years. Together with his master, Master Meng Deren, they have been adhering to the foundation of traditional culture. On the basis of inheritance, they have persisted in innovation, enabling the traditional skills of the Beijing imperial court to continue and allowing traditional craftsmanship to re-enter modern life.