Tan Zhiping and Yunnan enamel silverware

[Editor’s note] Culture is the root of a nation and a special binder of social relationships. However, the mention of culture often strikes people as abstract and hard to capture. In fact, many specific things and people in our life are representatives of culture. Beginning with this issue of China•Yunnan, we will publish a series of stories on cultural inheritors. We hope that these stories will help you better understand the culture of Yunnan.

Tan Zhiping is the fourth generation inheritor of the ‘Tan Silverware’ tradition in Yongsheng County, northwest Yunnan’s Lijiang. From a traditional handicraftsman to the manager of a cultural company, Tan Zhiping has ceaselessly promoted the inheritance and development of Yunnan’s enamel silverware.

Tan Zhiping began to learn handicrafts from his grandfather and father at the age of 14. Talented in the art, he not only inherited but also pushed forward the art of traditional enamelware and silverware. Today, he has become a rising star in the field of enamel techniques.

Enamel objects are colourful and have a gem-like gloss. They are resistant to corrosion and wear, making them strong and durable. Their colours stay bright for thousands of years without fading, making them highly aesthetic and collectable.

 “At present, enamel silverware objects are made only in Yongsheng County in Yunnan, and I am the sole official inheritor. The techniques are very difficulty so only two apprentices are learning from me,” said Tan Zhiping. For a handicraft, awareness is closely related with the number of inheritors. The more inheritors a tradition has, the more people will come to know of it. Admittedly, a thing is valued if it is rare, but we must make sure there are enough inheritors to pass the practice on.

Tan Zhiping has established long-term cooperative relationships with institutions of higher learning such as the Yunnan Arts Institute and the Tourism and Culture College of Yunnan University. He hopes to promote the development of Yunnan enamel silverware by combining his skills with the inspiration of high-end artists.

Tan Zhiping lives not only by ideas but also by an ideal. One’s mentality can actually change the environment. A man with ideas may live a spirited life, but a man with an ideal will bring life to a wonderful realm. Tan Zhiping wishes that more people will understand Yunnan enamel silverware and work with him to carry forward this traditional handicraft.

Tan Zhiping and Yunnan enamel silverware

[Editors note] Culture is the root of a nation and a special binder of social relationships. However, the mention of culture often strikes people as abstract and hard to capture. In fact, many specific things and people in our life are representatives of culture. Beginning with this issue of ChinaYunnan, we will publish a series of stories on cultural inheritors. We hope that these stories will help you better understand the culture of Yunnan. Tan Zhiping is the fourth generation inheritor of the Tan Silverware tradition in Yongsheng County, northwest Yunnans Lijiang. From a traditional handicraftsman to the manager of a cultural company, Tan Zhiping has ceaselessly promoted the inheritance and development of Yunnans enamel silverware. Tan Zhiping began to learn handicrafts from his grandfather and father at the age of 14. Talented in the art, he not only inherited but also pushed forward the art of traditional enamelware and silverware. Today, he has become a rising star in the field of enamel techniques. Enamel objects are colourful and have a gem-like gloss. They are resistant to corrosion and wear, making them strong and durable. Their colours stay bright for thousands of years without fading, making them highly aesthetic and collectable. At present, enamel silverware objects are made only in Yongsheng County in Yunnan, and I am the sole official inheritor. The techniques are very difficulty so only two apprentices are learning from me, said Tan Zhiping. For a handicraft, awareness is closely related with the number of inheritors. The more inheritors a tradition has, the more people will come to know of it. Admittedly, a thing is valued if it is rare, but we must make sure there are enough inheritors to pass the practice on. Tan Zhiping has established long-term cooperative relationships with institutions of higher learning such as the Yunnan Arts Institute and the Tourism and Culture College of Yunnan University. He hopes to promote the development of Yunnan enamel silverware by combining his skills with the inspiration of high-end artists. Tan Zhiping lives not only by ideas but also by an ideal. Ones mentality can actually change the environment. A man with ideas may live a spirited life, but a man with an ideal will bring life to a wonderful realm. Tan Zhiping wishes that more people will understand Yunnan enamel silverware and work with him to carry forward this traditional handicraft.