Tribute bricks lay path to history

An exhibition showcasing the craftsmanship of tribute bricks from Linqing, Liaocheng city of East China's Shandong province, opened at Prince Kung's Palace Museum in Beijing on Tuesday. The exhibition will run until Aug 11.

The exhibition presents tribute bricks from the museum's collection and connects their historical origins from Linqing with those used in the construction of Prince Gong's Mansion in Beijing.

The exhibition offers a panoramic display of official architectural construction techniques, including the eight major crafts — tiling, woodwork, earthwork, stonework, timberwork, painting, decorative painting and pasting.

These techniques encompass exquisite skills and are cultural treasures passed down through oral instruction and rich practical experience by ancient craftsmen.

Tiling, which involves bricklaying and tile-hanging techniques, is showcased in Prince Gong's Mansion through magnificent green glazed tiles, exquisite brick carvings and perfectly aligned walls and pavements.

Linqing bricks are present in multiple historical sites in the capital city, including the Palace Museum, Temple of Heaven, various city gate towers, Confucian temples, and the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) imperial tombs.

The audience can follow the history of the Grand Canal through which the tribute bricks were delivered, better understand the role of the bricks in Prince Gong's palace, and immerse themselves in the process of brick making at the museum.