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With a history of 600 years, glassware is a traditional Chinese handicraft which was developed based on the craft of colored glaze.

Without mold or sketch, glassware is a purely hand-made craft and the whole process is finished in a high temperature. It is formed in a short time by handicraftsman with tweezers and a pair of scissors.

Boasting exquisite workmanship, transparent quality and vivid color, glassware is famed both at home and abroad. It can be formed into decorations, animals, flowers and human figurines even as an imitation of jade.

Reputed as one of the Top Eight crafts of Beijing, the glassware was once loved by the royal courts of Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911) and reached its peak in that time. But nowadays glassware is on the brink of extinction and to revive this folk art it was listed as national intangible cultural heritage to arouse the attention from society.

Since making glassware is a time-consuming craft which needs the handicraftsmen not only to learn the skills from qualified workers but also to constantly practice for a long time, it means an apprentice needs to spend 20 years to master the craft of glassware making. It’s hard for most young people today to calm down and immerse themselves in this craft for such a long time.