Nanjing Gold Leaf Forging

Nanjing gold-leaf forging is an ancient craft long centred on the Longtan area of Jiangning, traditionally used to gild Buddhist statues, palaces and ornaments — a hallmark Nanjing handicraft.

Through more than a dozen steps the gold is hammered over ten thousand times into leaf thin enough to let light through, relying wholly on the craftsman's feel and force.

Listed in the first national batch in 2006, it is hailed as 'a Chinese marvel' and stands as a representative of Nanjing's traditional metal craft.