The rhythmic clang of hammer on metal echoes through Nie Zhiyuan's workshop in Feicheng, East China's Shandong province. Nie, the sixth-generation inheritor of Nie's bronze ware casting, a provincial intangible cultural heritage, is putting the final touches on his latest creation for the Year of the Horse.

Unlike the solemn, monotonous vessels of the past, this piece is playful. Painted in blue and gold, one horse has a tiny monkey on its back. The design combines ancient symbolism with contemporary Chinese aesthetics, a deliberate move to attract younger buyers.

With charming shapes and an image of the mischievous Monkey King, Nie Zhiyuan's artwork is gaining popularity among young people. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"Crafting a bronze horse takes over 60 steps, a process that requires great care and attention," said Nie. He developed his own painted copper craft, adjusting the blue-gold palette more than a dozen times to achieve the right balance between festive and fashionable. The result has resonated with buyers. The horses have sold out repeatedly during the Spring Festival shopping season.

Online, livestreams showing the forging and painting process have drawn thousands of orders per session. Overseas sales are up 30 percent, driven by the overseas Chinese seeking a piece of hometown heritage.

"It's not just a product. Every bronze horse we send abroad carries a story of Shandong craftsmanship," said Nie. Now training a new generation at the Longcang Academy, he is showing that tradition, when reimagined, can run far beyond.