Chinese craftsmen to restore lacquer panels at Russia’s Catherine Palace

People attend the Catherine Palace event at the Russian Culture Center in Beijing on October 10, 2023. Photo: Bi Mengying/GT

Chinese craftsmen will go to Russia to help with the restoration of Chinese lacquer panels on the walls in the Chinese Hall at the Catherine Palace near St Petersburg, Russia, as a contract regarding the restoration of Chinese lacquer panels inside the Catherine Palace was signed on October 10 at the Russian Cultural Center in Beijing.

"The craftsmen, who are mostly in their 70s, are very experienced and top-notch. They will bring in the most traditional and authentic skills," Han Jiaming, chairman of Beijing Xinxingshi, the company dispatching the craftsmen and leading the restoration, told the Global Times.  

Restoring the Chinese lacquer panels at the Catherine Palace is also a way for Chinese culture to go global. It will also deepen the understanding and friendship between the people of China and Russia, said Han. 

"Therefore, I think our work is very meaningful and significant," he added. 

Situated 17 miles from St Petersburg, the Catherine Palace is part of the World ­Heritage Site Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of ­Monuments because of its unparalleled gardens, architecture, and the vast collection of sculptures, paintings, and artifacts dating from the 18th to early 20th century. 

The palace and the surrounding park together make up the Tsarskoe Selo State Museum and Heritage Site.

The palace was severely destroyed during World War II. 

It was subsequently rebuilt and is still undergoing reconstruction. The restoration of the interior, the sculptures, paintings and artifacts has been moving forward smoothly as well. 

At the Zubov Wing of the palace, the different halls on the second floor were the private rooms of the empress. 

Among these halls, the ­Chinese Hall is largest one, which was used to receive ­aristocrats and foreign officials. 

The museum received two mid-19th century glass slides as a donation. The slides show the Chinese and Lyons Halls as they were in the 1860s with details of their decorations and furnishings. 

The Chinese Hall displays the Chinese lacquer panels on the walls, polychrome door panels, and the original furniture.