BEIJING, Dec. 9 -- The art of colored glaze has a long history in China. It's famous for dressing up China's imperial architecture. But these days, the art is disappearing as the number of glazing artists continues to dwindle.

    Chinese craftsmen mastered the techniques of making glaze long before royalty discovered the art. In the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, glaze was widely used in the imperial buildings and became a symbol of imperial power.

    In ancient China, the use of glaze colors was strictly regulated. Imperial palaces and gardens were covered in yellow glaze, mansions could only use green, and places for sacrifice like the Temple of Heaven used blue glaze. Throughout the centuries the craft became integrated with traditional architecture.

    Even today, some buildings and temples still use glaze products.

    But despite its long history, Chinese glaze craftsmen have never bothered to document their skills and techniques. In Beijing there are only about ten glaze experts working in the trade. They say their profession, which has been around for a thousand years, is on the verge of extinction.

    (Source: cctv.com)