Craftsman sticks to handmade silver craft

2016-07-18 Source：Chinadaily.com.cn

Zhang Xiangbao tests the silverwares he made at Qingkou town, Ganyu district, Lianyungang city in Jiangsu province, July 10, 2016. 

The 69-year-old Zhang Xiangbao, from a small town in Jiangsu province makes a living by producing silverwares. Zhang displayed his gift since childhood, and began making silver as early as 12 years old. The process of making silver is complicated as it has to go through melting, forging into silver bar, anneal, stamp, trim, tangling up, and polishing.

Zhang was born in a family that has been producing handmade silverwares for three generations. His father was strict with him when teaching him the skill, and said that "when you have a certain skill, you can make a living."

Zhang's silver productions are quite popular. Although, as technology develops, the purely handmade silverware is gradually declining, and his business is in obvious recession. Yet Zhang still sticks to the traditional handcraft, and wants to preserve the intangible cultural heritage as much as he can.

Moulds of silverware made by Zhang Xiangbao's father. 

Moulds of silverware made by Zhang Xiangbao's father.

Zhang Xiangbao works on silverware at Qingkou town, Ganyu district, Lianyungang city in Jiangsu province

Zhang Xiangbao tests the silverwares he made at Qingkou town, Ganyu district, Lianyungang city in Jiangsu province

The silverwares Zhang Xiangbao made at Qingkou town, Ganyu district, Lianyungang city in Jiangsu province

Zhang Xiangbao heats the silverwares at Qingkou town, Ganyu district, Lianyungang city in Jiangsu province

Zhang Xiangbao heats the silverwares at Qingkou town, Ganyu district, Lianyungang city in Jiangsu province

Zhang Xiangbao forges silver bars at Qingkou town, Ganyu district, Lianyungang city in Jiangsu province

Zhang Xiangbao shows an ancestral ticket sample marked with "silverware shop" passed down from his father at Qingkou town, Ganyu district, Lianyungang city in Jiangsu province