At a wooden bench in a distant corner of the exhibition room sat Zhang Zhirong, who has been tutoring advanced crafting techniques at the Chow Tai Fook Master Studio since 1992, wielding a steel punch in one hand and a hammer in the other to chase intricate patterns on a gold surface. It is just another typical day in the studio with his dedicated team of goldsmiths, who created iconic pieces that showcase the pinnacle of Chinese craftsmanship.
Zhang, a veteran jewelry artisan who has been in the field for nearly 50 years, expressed great enthusiasm for showcasing the basic skills of Chinese goldsmithing to the wider public, in a bid for its preservation, inheritance, and innovation.
He believes that every jewelry piece crafted under his punches and hammers is an optimal fusion of timeless artistry designs — often paying homage to traditional Chinese roots — and the masterful execution of ancient Chinese goldsmithing techniques, which serves as a vessel of culture and history spanning several millennia.
Gods Birthday Celebration on Pure Gold Dragon Boat, which won the Gold Award at the Baihua Cup Crafts Competition held by the China Arts and Crafts Association in 2017 — widely considered as the highest honor in Chinese arts and crafts, comparable to the film industry’s Academy Awards — was handcrafted by eight artisans, and polished by 10 expert craftsmen, a tough yearlong effort reinforcing the importance of heritage preservation.
“The inheritance and revitalization of a traditional craft and culture demands steadfast persistence, as well as the synergetic collaboration of all relevant sides,” Zhang said, adding that he was delighted that Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group has been constantly providing much-needed resources and momentum to make this happen.
Chen Qiliang, whose eyes were laser-focused on some golden flakes beside Zhang, is one of the rising stars of the Master Studio, who earned his spurs as an adept goldsmith after graduating in 2016 with a diploma in jewelry production and branding from Zheng Jingyi Vocational Technical School in Shunde.
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Starting with entry-level production of gold blanks during his first metalworking practice class in school, Chen has progressed to mastering advanced cloisonne craftsmanship, which was enlisted as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2006. He is now honing his skills in the Studio.
Chen has always embraced the “craftsman’s spirit”.
“A competent artisan should always be motivated by the desire to improve and achieve quality perfection,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of a whole cohort of young artisans, Chen added that they are wholeheartedly committed to serving as keepers of traditional craftsmanship, while also leading the way in fostering technical and product innovations.
The growing popularity of guochao style, or “national tide” or “China chic”, has managed to weave Chinese traditional cultural cues into the fabric of everyday lives of many younger consumers. This trend serves as a timely catalyst for more innovative collections targeting at diverse customer groups.
According to the Chinese Brand Consumption Trend Report published last year by the JD Research Institute for Consumption and Industrial Development, interest in products with classic Chinese touches surged by 74 percent, contributing to a 355 percent growth in related sales.
Among Chow Tai Fook Jewellery’s most popular items amid this boom in guochao products is the Chow Tai Fook Palace Museum Collection, which made its debut in August, following the Group’s strategic partnership with the Palace Museum in Beijing. This Collection features mesmerizing gold jewelry designs inspired by some of the museum’s most treasured antiques, embodying the Group’s enduring credo of timeless craftsmanship, quality, and beauty that bridges the past with the present, appealing to both domestic and global audiences.
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At the other end of the glittering showcase lies an award-winning necklace featuring a gold and gemstone pendant adorned with a butterfly motif. It was inspired by a cherished painting of a begonia and butterfly from the Beijing’s Palace Museum’s collection. This collection is a compelling example of how jewelry can transcend mere adornments to become sought-after wearable pieces of history, suitable not only for special occasions but also for daily wear.
