Inheritor of Colored Glaze Firing Skill Makes the Cultural Heritage Regain Its Vitality in N China

After several procedures like shaping, glazing and firing, the colored glaze handicrafts in the hands of Ge Yuansheng, an 81-year-old man in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, gradually glow with dazzling brilliance.

Ge Yuansheng is a representative inheritor of colored glaze firing skill, which was listed as national intangible cultural heritage in 2008. Colored glaze handicraft, with its gorgeous color and delicate shape, has been widely used in houses, palaces, temples and other architecture.

Photo taken on March 3, 2021 shows Peacock Blue colored glaze handicrafts in Ge Yuansheng's workshop in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

Photo taken on Feb. 3, 2021 shows colored glaze handicrafts in the making process in Ge Yuansheng's workshop in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

Ge Yuansheng works on a colored glaze handicraft in his workshop in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Feb. 3, 2021.(Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

Ge Yuansheng shows a colored glaze handicraft in his workshop in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Feb. 3, 2021.(Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

The colored glaze firing skill of Su's family in Taiyuan is a representative of such skill in Shanxi Province. Ge Yuansheng started to learn the skill from Su Jie, the sixth generation inheritor of Su's family, in 1979.

The firing skill of Peacock Blue, the most famous color of Su's colored glaze, was once lost in history. In order to carry forward the traditional skill, Ge Yuansheng conducted nearly 1,000 experiments within 30 years, and made Su's Peacock Blue colored glaze regain its vitality.

Photo taken on March 3, 2021 shows Peacock Blue colored glaze handicrafts in Ge Yuansheng's workshop in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

Photo taken on March 3, 2021 shows the glaze of Peacock Blue colored glaze in Ge Yuansheng's workshop in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

"Colored glaze firing skill does not fade," Ge Yuansheng said. He hopes that more young people could have a deeper understanding on the unique technique.

Ge Yuansheng collects raw material for colored glaze firing in Haozhuang Township of Yingze District in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, March 3, 2021. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

Ge Yuansheng collects raw material for colored glaze firing in Haozhuang Township of Yingze District in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, March 3, 2021. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

Ge Yuansheng works on a colored glaze handicraft in his workshop in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Feb. 3, 2021.(Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

Ge Yuansheng works on a colored glaze handicraft in his workshop in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 13, 2021.(Xinhua/Cao Yang)

Photo taken on Jan. 13, 2021 shows a colored glaze handicraft Ge Yuansheng made in his workshop in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

Ge Yuansheng views colored glaze handicrafts in his workshop in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, March 3, 2021.(Xinhua/Cao Yang)

Ge Yuansheng instructs his apprentice on colored glaze handicrafts in his workshop in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Jan. 13, 2021. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

Ge Yuansheng instructs his apprentice on colored glaze handicrafts in his workshop in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Feb. 3, 2021. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)