[Explanation] Tian Shusheng, 68, is a retired cadre in Cang County, Hebei Province. Since 1993, he has traveled all over the country and collected more than 11,000 lamps of various types.
These lamps cover more than 2,000 types, ranging from modern kerosene lamps to ancient lamps of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period.
Each lamp is a microcosm of an era, and you can browse the two thousand years of China's "bright history" by wandering in it.
[Concurrent] Tian Shusheng, a lighting collector
When I was a child, there was no electricity in the village. At night, I did my homework under the oil lamp, and my mother did needlework by the lamp. This has become my deepest childhood memory.
After my mother passed away, every time I recall my childhood, I always see the scene of my mother doing needlework beside the oil lamp. That is to say, from that time on, I am full of infinite feelings for this oil lamp, and I also have a collection of lamps and lanterns. idea.
[Explanation] At the beginning of 2000, due to work reasons, Scholar Tian began to travel south and north. Every time he went to a place, he would take time to go to the local antique market and rural communities to "move" lights and treasures.
Tian Shusheng said that once in Hunan, after buying lamps, he found that the money was not enough, and he chewed instant noodles for two days on the way back.
In Tian Shusheng's collection, there are several iron oil lamps with rust marks on their bodies.
[Concurrent] Tian Shusheng, a lighting collector
This is a miner's lamp from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The mine is dark, so the lamp has a long handle and many lamp heads. The base of these miner's lamps is engraved with a circle of longevity. Because the mining technology was low at that time, the accident rate was relatively high, and the miners did not ask for Others, but for peace and longevity.
Through these miner's lamps, we can understand the living conditions of the miners at that time.
[Explanation] According to Tian Shusheng, ancient lamps not only have lighting functions, but also carry a lot of historical information.
For example, from the shape of the lamps, we can see the living habits of various dynasties and understand the living conditions of people at that time.
[Concurrent] Tian Shusheng, a lighting collector
The lamps of the Han Dynasty were generally short and small, and it can be inferred that people in that period were used to sitting on the ground.
The oil-saving lamps used in the Tang Dynasty were generally round and divided into upper and lower layers. The upper layer was filled with oil, and the second layer was filled with water. wisdom and already have the concept of saving.
[Explanation] Tian Shusheng said that the house currently used to store the collection is borrowed. Due to the remote location, although people often come to visit and exchange, these collections are far from playing their due role.
[Concurrent] Tian Shusheng, a lighting collector
My wish is to build an ancient lantern museum in the true sense. Now (this) can be regarded as an exhibition hall, so that more people can appreciate the historical changes from the appreciation of ancient lanterns and understand China's two thousand years of "bright history".
Reported by Ai Guangde Tianbo from Cangzhou, Hebei
Responsible editor: [Peng Dawei]