Tangsancai restored to former glory in Jinan

A collection of tangsancai (three-colored glazed ceramics) that had been unearthed in Jinan, was unveiled in December 2025 after seven months of meticulous restoration. It provided fresh insight into the craftsmanship and burial culture of the Tang Dynasty (618–907).

The artifacts, found between 2021 and 2022 in Licheng district, include over 50 pieces, with figures of warriors, horses, and camels, as well as two large tomb guardian figures.

The restoration process was challenging due to the size, complexity, and vivid glazes of the artifacts. Conservation work involved careful cleaning, desalination, and the manual reconstruction of missing sections. Throughout the process, restorers ensured repaired areas remained visually coherent with the originals while still distinguishable upon close inspection.

Experts noted that the restored ceramics offer valuable evidence of the aesthetic preferences and social structure of the dynasty, improving the understanding of early Chinese ceramic development.