Restoring past: Chinese forbidden city artifact gets high-tech makeover

AP describes in a latest article that at the heart of Beijing's Forbidden City, a piece of history is undergoing a meticulous restoration. A fragment of a glazed roof tile is being examined using a state-of-the-art X-ray diffraction machine, which produces images projected onto computer screens. 

The aim? To uncover the nature of a mysterious dark spot on its surface and better preserve the priceless artifacts housed within the vast complex.

“We want to learn what the black material is,” said Kang Baoqiang, one of the restorers working in the museum, which attracts tourists from around the world. “Whether it’s atmospheric sediment or the result of substantial change from within.”

With a collection of over 1.8 million relics, the museum employs a team of 150 workers who combine advanced scientific techniques and traditional methods to repair, clean, and preserve the artifacts. The treasures range from scroll paintings and calligraphy to bronzes, ceramics, and, unexpectedly, ornate clocks given to emperors by early European visitors.

In another part of the museum, two restorers are carefully inpainting a panel of green silk embroidered with the Chinese character for "longevity." This piece is believed to have been a birthday gift to Empress Dowager Cixi, the powerful figure behind the throne in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Much of the restoration work is labor-intensive and repetitive, with projects often taking months to complete. Wang Nan, one of the restorers, shared, “I simply enjoy the sense of achievement when an antique piece is fixed.”

The Forbidden City, now a major tourist destination and officially known as the Palace Museum, was named by outsiders during imperial times, as access was restricted. Many of its treasures were removed during World War II to prevent them from falling into the hands of invading forces. Some of the most prized artifacts were taken to Taiwan during the civil war of 1949, where they are now housed in the National Palace Museum.

Restoration methods have evolved over the years, but the focus remains on preserving the cultural values of each artifact. As Qu Feng, head of the museum’s Conservation Department, put it: “When we preserve an antique piece, we ‘protect the cultural values it carries.’ And that is our ultimate goal.”

By Naila Huseynova