China News Service, Xianyang, Shaanxi, June 20 (Mei Yilong, Li Zhihuan) Liquan County, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province is one of the important places where Tang Sancai was produced. Therefore, the local area also gave birth to many Tang Sancai craftsmen, inheriting the ancient skills and making them flourish over time. "Many elders in the family are craftsmen who made Tang Sancai. Their spirit of adhering to craftsmanship deeply infected me, so I also want to inherit the culture and skills of Tang Sancai." Guo Ben, the inheritor of Tang Sancai skills in Liquan County, told reporters.
On the northern edge of the Guanzhong Plain, Jiuwei Mountain stands silently, where the Zhaoling Mausoleum of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty is located. In 1971, a stunning white pottery dancing horse was unearthed from the tomb of Zhaoling, setting the pinnacle of Tang Sancai art. For thousands of years, craftsmen here have used the red clay from Jiuwei Mountain as raw material to produce dazzling tricolor treasures of the Tang Dynasty. The pottery making skills have been passed down from generation to generation without interruption.
The picture shows Guo Ben's Tang Sancai works. Photo courtesy of Xianyang Media Center
It is understood that as a native of Liquan County, Guo Ben has been immersed in Tang Sancai culture since he was a child, thus planting the seeds of inheriting Tang Sancai in his heart. In 2025, Guo Ben and his wife Ma Rui founded the Weishan Sancai Studio in Guanting Village, Liquan County. "My wife also likes Tang Sancai very much. On weekdays, we are both immersed in the creation of Tang Sancai." Guo Ben said.
According to reports, Ma Rui was once a designer and met Guo Ben by chance. Their common love prompted them to "take root" in the countryside together and become the best partners to move forward side by side. While adhering to traditional ancient methods, they continue to explore contemporary expressions of Tang Sancai techniques. "Nowadays, making Tang Sancai requires the integration of multi-disciplinary knowledge such as physics, chemistry, and art appreciation." Ma Rui, an inheritor of Tang Sancai skills in Liquan County, said that only by mastering this knowledge can it be possible to create excellent Tang Sancai works.
The picture shows Ma Rui's Tang Sancai works. Photo courtesy of Xianyang Media Center
It is reported that a Tang Sancai work, from clay to finished product, has to go through ten rigorous processes including mud smelting, grouting, glazing, and glaze firing. The whole process takes at least two weeks, and every step is filled with the craftsmen's reverence for craftsmanship and extreme attention to detail. However, inheritance should not be conservative, and innovation should not stray from the roots. This is the original intention that Guo Ben and Ma Rui have always adhered to. They know very well that if old craftsmanship wants to survive and become popular, it must not be divorced from its historical roots, but must also meet the needs of the times.
"Our current creative direction mainly focuses on two aspects. First, based on the historical context of Zhaoling Museum, we will create a series of inherited works; second, we will combine the images of things in life to create some works that are deeply loved by people." Guo Ben said.
Today, the studio of Mr. and Mrs. Guo Ben is not only a pottery workshop, but also a classroom for inheriting Tang Sancai skills. They teach the skills to villagers and enthusiasts for free, and encourage neighbors to participate together, so that more people can fall in love with Tang Sancai, inherit Tang Sancai, and use traditional craftsmanship to help revitalize rural culture. (over)
