Life丨Rebuilding a reputation, brick by Linqing brick

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The dulcet background guzheng (traditional Chinese zither) music permeating the Prince Kung's Palace Museum somehow accentuates the coarse yet stentorian voice of Zhao Qing'an in mid-July. The man in his 50s nimbly runs around a makeshift stage where bricks, iron and wooden tools, and a kiln model are on display in a hall of the museum in Beijing. He speaks fast and uses skits to demonstrate the production process of Linqing bricks, also known as tribute bricks, from Linqing, Liaocheng city of East China's Shandong province. The brick had been favored by ancient royal courts since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and thus serves as an important part of many historical buildings in the capital city. Having been engaged in producing the tribute bricks for nearly two decades, Zhao is at home with the brick craft that was named a national intangible culture heritage in 2008. ▲ A student seems engrossed by the exhibition showcasing the craftsmanship involved in the making of Linqing bricks th ………………………………