Yunnan Xinhua Village Silver Museum in Heqing County, Dali

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The Yunnan Silverware Museum (云南银器博物馆), established in 2005 in Xinhua Shizhaizi (新华石寨子) of Heqing County (鹤庆县), is the first museum in China dedicated to the art and history of silverware. The museum houses nearly a thousand silver artifacts dating from the Tang Dynasty (唐代) to the present, including household utensils and decorative items. It systematically showcases the evolution of silver crafting techniques that have been practiced in Yunnan (云南) for over a millennium.

The museum is built upon the traditional craftsmanship foundation of Xinhua Village (新华村), which was named “Hometown of Chinese Folk Art” in 2000. It preserves and presents the full development of Heqing silver forging craftsmanship (鹤庆银器锻制技艺)—a skill later recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.

• Type: Specialized Museum
• Location: Xinhua Shizhaizi (新华石寨子), Heqing County (鹤庆县)
• Founded: 2005
• Collection Focus: Silver artifacts
• Historical Span: Tang Dynasty to Present
• Cultural Recognition: National Intangible Cultural Heritage Carrier

Museum Development

In 2005, Xinhua Village (新华村) was officially recognized as the “Hometown of Chinese Folk Art,” laying a strong cultural foundation for the creation of a specialized museum. That same year, the museum opened to the public in Xinhua Shizhaizi (新华石寨子), becoming the first silverware-themed museum in China.

Core Collection

As China’s first professional silverware museum, the Yunnan Silverware Museum (云南银器博物馆) holds nearly a thousand ancient silver items dating back to the Tang Dynasty (唐代). The collection spans a wide range of objects including teaware, dining ware, wine vessels, and personal adornments such as headpieces and necklaces.

Craftsmanship Heritage

Through its curated display of tools and finished silver products from different historical periods, the museum outlines the evolution of silver craftsmanship from the Tang Dynasty (唐代) onward. A major highlight in 2005 was the addition of modern silver pieces created by local artisans using traditional techniques, providing a living demonstration of the nationally recognized Heqing silver forging craftsmanship (鹤庆银器锻制技艺).

Academic Value

The museum’s collection offers valuable primary sources for the study of the silver trade in northwestern Yunnan (滇西北) and the fusion of multi-ethnic aesthetics. Some items feature Sanskrit inscriptions and trade marks from merchants along the Ancient Tea Horse Road (茶马古道), reflecting the cultural interchanges between the southwestern frontier and the Central Plains throughout history.

Social Role

As a thematic museum, the Yunnan Silverware Museum (云南银器博物馆) not only presents regular exhibitions but also includes immersive reconstructions of traditional silver workshops. Visitors can observe live demonstrations of classic techniques such as hammer chasing and fire melting shaping, offering insight into the craft’s intricate traditions. Since 2020, a digital exhibition zone has been added, using 3D scanning technology to reveal the internal structures and fine details of silverware pieces.