Developing base skills

As for the materials used for the packaging container, they may vary with the variety of the items, depending on such factors as the collectible's capacity to withstand force.

"Hard materials include paperboard, various types of wood, and composite board, while soft materials range from brocade, satin, silk, linen and cotton," Gao says.

The next step is to glue the panels of the box together, which takes between two and seven days to complete.

"It is key to make sure that the surface is smooth and wrinkle-free after the fabric is pasted onto the periphery of the box, with no corners left exposed, and that the pattern and design are even and natural," Gao says.

The most crucial step, he adds, has to be making the interior.

"It directly relates to the protection of the antique and highlights its features," he explains, adding that the materials should be carefully chosen and meticulously applied.

The final step is to make the clasp and buckle, which can be made out of jade, bone or wood, and can come in various forms.

Challenges arise when items of an unfamiliar nature are handed over to Gao. For instance, when he was asked by a friend two years ago to repair a stoneware item and to make a pedestal to hold it, Gao went out of his way to deliver a natural looking base.

He eventually delivered a nice pedestal, but has still been struggling to restore the stoneware item.

"The process has been tough, but I've picked up new knowledge in the process," Gao says.

He believes that encountering difficulties when handling various types of cultural relics and artifacts is normal, especially at the beginning.

"They have differences and similarities, but if we can master the similarities, it is easier for us to understand new knowledge and techniques," he says.

In fact, one of the biggest joys he gets from his work is the continuous acquisition of new knowledge and skills.

"I hope I can learn new things and improve myself every day," he says.