Charm of iron handwork is beyond reach of machines

Since he was 14, Mu Binglin has been dealing with silverware for nearly four decades. Now as a national intangible cultural heritage inheritor, Mu believes innovation is the key to passing down the workmanship and making by hand is the essence of it.

Mu ran his own workshop in 1997 in west Yunnan's Heqing County after learning from a silversmith for 11 years. Then to polish his skills, he visited experienced silversmiths in Guangxi, Hunan, Sichuan and Tibet. Incorporating others’ skills, he has made innovations in making silverware and created many boutiques.

And many of his works were collected by the National Museum of China. He also recruits apprentices and teaches them what he knows. Besides emphasizing innovation, Mu stresses that new beginners should not use machines frequently as the charm of handwork is beyond the reach of machines. 

Editor: Wang Shixue