Really getting the whole rub

Two of the relics, a round-mouthed food vessel and a square caldron-both dating back to the Shang Dynasty (c.16th century-11th century BC)-are exhibited alongside Jia's rubbings.

The six rubbings will be donated to the Summer Palace as permanent-collection items.

"The exhibition can enrich the content of the cultural tour we designed for the Summer Palace and provides visitors with good cultural-tourism options during the New Year and Spring Festival," says Li.

Jia's art, which belongs to the category of intangible cultural heritage but combines painting or inscriptions by other artists, can fully show the richness of traditional culture, Li says.

Jia, a native of Beijing, was born into a family that has a long tradition in relic repair. He has been involved in restoration since the late 1970s, working at organizations including the Beijing Bureau of Cultural Heritage, the Capital Museum and the China Agricultural Museum.

Jia's whole-shape rubbings have evolved thanks to his rich experience in bronzeware restoration. He absorbed the experience of his predecessors and explored new techniques to form his own unique methods, which allow him to present accurate shapes, clear details and realistic effects.