Man from Xi'an replicates 300 armor helmets in past decade

(ECNS) -- A man from Xi’an, Shaanxi Province has replicated more than 300 armor helmets in the past 10 years.

Zhang Chunyong and his team started making and replicating armor helmets at the beginning of 2000. At that time, inspired by some experts, he read a lot of material about armor helmets.

“We make armor helmets because we have dreams of being heroes, therefore, we want more people to know about them,” said Zhang.

According to Zhang, making and replicating of armor helmets are not easy because the skill was mastered only by officials in ancient China and unearthed materials are not enough.

Documentary records, unearthed pottery figurines, murals and statues have provided reference for armor helmet making and restoration, he said.

“Before making an armor helmet, we conducted research then started drawing and preparing relevant materials like leather. The  process also involves complicated crafts like copper casting and chiseling,” said Zhang. “One armor helmet takes about a week.”

Due to the complicated process such as painting and sculpture, Zhang, set up a professional team in 2013.

In the following 10 years, his team made and replicated different kinds of armor helmets from the pre-Qin period (pre-221 B.C.) to the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), for example, armor helmets made of leather, iron, and silk.

“We have a clear division of labor, including making armor helmet pieces, engraving, and photographing,” said Zhang. 

“Our team can replicate the armor helmets of different periods and types in the market and or in books now.”

Zhang believes that an armor helmet is an important symbol of each historical period, which embodies the aesthetics and wisdom of the ancients, and represents the politics, economy, culture and productivity of the historical period.

In order to better inherit the ancient armor culture in China, Zhang and his team have organized their experience and reading materials for reference for armor helmet lovers.

They also cooperate with museums to hold exhibitions. And they have opened many experience halls to let more people to experience the charm of armor helmets.