Centuries of Craftsmanship, A Legend in Glass

On 2025 / 6 / 19, the Chang'an Club's 9 floor came alive with dazzling light as "Inheriting Millennia-Old Craftsmanship, Celebrating the Enamel Legend," the first session of Chang'an Intangible Cultural Heritage [Master Class], successfully concluded. This cultural celebration, co-created by Chang'an Club and Zhang Xu, inheritor of the "Enamel Zhang" lineage, along with Fuhua Zhai—a historic pastry brand specializing in imperial desserts—brought guests together for an immersive experience. Attendees decoded the thousand-year legacy of cloisonné while witnessing the dynamic fusion of traditional craftsmanship and modern aesthetics.

Millennium Enamel Meets a Kindred Spirit: A Timeless Cultural Dialogue

Guests in traditional attire were captured by Dingji Photography, where gray brickwork and ornate railings beautifully complemented their elegant garments. The professional imaging team, guided by the philosophy that "photography is heritage," documented each moment of connection with intangible cultural heritage, transforming static historical aesthetics into a treasurable art archive.

From Palace Craftsmanship to Artistry at Your Fingertips

Cloisonné is a flowing epic of the imperial court, with every craft step etched with ancestral wisdom. Zhang Xu, a Beijing Master of Fine Arts and inheritor representative of the intangible cultural heritage Cloisonné technique, delivered a deeply moving presentation. Tracing the lineage through his family's Zhang-style enamel tradition, he began with the origins of cloisonné craftsmanship entering Central China during the Yuan Dynasty, revealing the intricate complexity of 108 steps in copper-body wire-inlay enamel work. He further showcased how masterpieces like "Auspiciousness," "Wealth and Longevity," and the God of Wealth Vase seamlessly blend Tibetan antelope motifs, lacquerware techniques, and modern design—breathing new life into 600 years of imperial artistry in the contemporary era.

指尖生花：Immersive Experience of Cloisonné Craftsmanship

During the hands-on cloisonné session, guests held copper wires and enamel under the guidance of Instructor Zhang Xu to sketch patterns and fill in colors. "Cloisonné is like calligraphy—force and curvature define its spirit; filling with enamel resembles painting, where layers of color reflect centuries of imperial aesthetics." As the enamel hardened into vibrant designs at high temperatures, participants experienced firsthand the craftsmanship behind the saying: "One piece of cloisonné equals ten boxes of official kiln ware."

Palace Flavors on the Tip of Your Tongue: The Timeless Taste of Fuhua Zhai

The afternoon tea segment featured a feast of restored Qing Dynasty imperial pastries from Fuhua Zhai. The flaky mooncake boasts layers as delicate as feathers, the Suniniemen white cake offers a rich milky aroma, and the rose cake is filled with nine-petaled roses from Miaofeng Mountain. Paired with Sanqing Tea—a blend of pine nuts, Buddha's hand citrus, and plum blossoms—the experience transported guests to the Chonghua Palace tea ceremony of the Qianlong era. Mr. Zhao Guangyou, an inheritor of the Qing imperial cuisine, shared the cultural stories behind the pastries, revealing that "intangible heritage is not just craftsmanship, but a lifestyle aesthetic."

A Modern Answer to Intangible Cultural Heritage: Innovation Breaking Through from Imperial Courts to Niche Communities

During the event, Mr. Zhao Jie, founder of the Chang'an Society, engaged in a salon discussion with guests including Teacher Zhang Xu, Mr. Zhao Guangyou from Fuhua Zhai, and Ms. Wu Danmin, Executive Director of the China Association for Ethnic Minority Products. The conversation focused on how intangible cultural heritage can break down barriers between different circles. Zhang Xu noted: "Inheriting tradition without clinging to the past, innovating while staying true to our roots—Zhang Enamel breaks down 108 traditional steps into modern, accessible experiences. Just as 'Auspicious Symbols' appeared on CCTV, it enables the life force of Tibetan antelopes to connect with young audiences through enamel craftsmanship." Fuhua Zhai brought imperial pastries to younger generations' afternoon tea time by combining "restored traditional methods + modern packaging," proving that preserving intangible heritage requires both maintaining artisanal integrity and embracing everyday relevance.

Elegant Dinner Gathering: Where Enamel Aesthetics Meet the Modern Table

The custom dinner, inspired by cloisonné enamelware, brought the event to a climax. Dish presentations echoed the vibrant color rhythms of掐丝珐琅 (cloisonné), while tableware and space decor mirrored its signature metallic finish. This sensory feast seamlessly blends tradition with modernity, extending intangible cultural heritage from sight and touch to taste—creating a fully immersive cultural resonance.

From Glimmer to Beacon: Intangible Cultural Heritage Meets the Modern Era

As guests capture their intangible cultural heritage (ICH) experiences through Dingji Photography's lens, a shared commitment to cultural preservation quietly takes root within the community. From Yuan Dynasty imperial courts to today's urban landscapes, from artisans' fingertips to everyday life, the millennium-old legacy of Cloisonné continues in new forms. Join us for the next session of "Chang'an ICH Gathering: Master Lecture Series," where immersive experiences will connect our circles with cultural roots. We invite you to be part of this next chapter in China's living heritage.