The double happiness symbol was one of the artworks discovered in the library. (Photo : Wikimedia)
Several works of art thought to be lost for decades have been discovered in a hidden cabinet by the personnel in charge of restoring the historic former Shanghai Library in Yangpu District.
The 80-year-old library's main hall featured panels that displayed artistic icons like the traditional Chinese double happiness symbol, all framed in vibrant turquoise.
All the artwork had originally been displayed on the ceiling of the 156-square-meter hall at the entrance of the library. Over the years, most have been lost.
Ma Lili, the lead restorer, said that last month, staff found a cabinet hidden away in a corner. Found inside was a treasure trove of well-preserved works of art.
Ma said that finding these paintings are crucial to ensuring the design of the renovated hall is authentic.
"These paintings have become the major reference point for restoring decorations in the hall," she said.
Staff members are currently trying to learn more about the skilled art workers who created the original one-square-meter panels and are consulting with local art colleges to establish what kind of paint was used, Ma added.
The library was the centerpiece of the "Greater Shanghai Plan" in the 1930s. Restoration work on the library should be complete by early 2017.
The Yangpu District government expects the library to become a landmark for the district upon its competition.
According to Zhang Min, deputy director of the Yangpu Bureau of Culture, the library will serve 1.24 million residents in the district. It will include an exhibition hall on the history of the library.
Ma said that the discovery of the artwork will greatly help with the restoration of the interior, but restoring the exterior is more difficult.
The library is known for its rich history. In 1935, construction on the library was suspended because of the start of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
Half-built, the library still opened, only to close a year later.
After the war, the library served as a detention facility for Japanese prisoners of war.
In 1946, it was converted to the headquarters of the Kuomintang Party. Traffic police were later based in the building.
Until 2000, it served as a school library and dormitory for Tongji Middle School.
Until late 2014 when the library started renovations, it stayed empty and not in use.
The new library will be 15,000 square meters and can seat 650 people. It will contain 650,000 books and 1,200 newspapers and magazine titles.
