Restoration team revives 1.8 million relics at Beijing's Palace Museum

In Beijing, the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, is home to a wealth of cultural artifacts, numbering over 1.8 million. The museum attracts numerous tourists each year, but behind its public-facing image is a dedicated team of about 150 restorers who are deeply involved in the meticulous work of preserving these invaluable relics. Their methods combine both cutting-edge scientific analysis and traditional restoration techniques, ensuring that the artifacts are not only cleaned and repaired but also remain true to their historical significance. The restorers employ various tools, including state-of-the-art X-ray diffraction machines to analyze artifacts. For instance, they recently examined a fragment of a glazed roof tile from the Forbidden City that exhibited unusual black markings. Their aim is to determine whether this discoloration is caused by atmospheric sediment or internal changes within the material. The knowledge gained from such investigations contributes to more effective preservation for future generations. In addition to dealing with extensive materials such as scroll paintings, bronzes, tents, and ceramics, the restoration team handles unique items, like antique clocks that were presents from early European visitors. They engage in painstaking procedures such as inpainting to restore artworks that have suffered damage over time. One notable example involved a patterned green silk panel with a character symbolizing longevity, believed to be a birthday gift to Empress Dowager Cixi from the late 19th or early 20th century. Challenges abound in this labor-intensive restoration process, which may stretch over several months to complete. One of the restorers, Wang Nan, expressed that their motivation stems from a personal satisfaction in successfully repairing antique pieces rather than a grand ambition of safeguarding cultural heritage. The evolution of restoration techniques at the Palace Museum continues under the guidance of Qu Feng, head of the Conservation Department, who emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural values within these artifacts. The ultimate goal of the team's restoration efforts is to honor and protect the history encapsulated within these treasured pieces of Chinese heritage.