Shanghai Daily News

In venturing into Xu Zhenbao's dimly-lit attic in Jiading District's  Malu Town, one can feel as if they are stepping back into days of yore.

Wooden chamber pots, dusty steel scales, shoes made of grass, rusty bronze smoking sets, Lunar New Year cake moulds, an ancient water cannon and traditional weaving machines, among others, are neatly piled up in meticulous order.

While some might call it trash, for Anhui Province native Xu, all the outdated stuff is his priceless treasure.

"I don't drink or smoke. Collecting traditional Chinese furniture and other folk goods is my biggest hobby," said the spry 64-year-old. "Many people say they are worthless and should be thrown in the dustbin. But in my mind, they are culture and history. What I am trying to do is to preserve the past for our next generation."

During the past 30 years, Xu has spent almost every penny on his "trash." Yunzhou Antique City, Jing'an Temple bazaars, Chenghuang Temple, Jiading's old town and even some demolished areas have been his favorite places to frequent to find his treasures every month. Bargaining and begging, Xu said it was not always easy to get what he wants even though much of the stuff is abandoned and considered rubbish.

"I have learned how to haggle with those cunning shopkeepers and relocation residents," Xu said.

In his backyard, stones and bricks that have been abandoned after old houses were demolished are made into a table, while several stools decorate his yard.

"The stones cost me only 20 yuan (US$2.50). I found them in a demolished area. Isn't that beautiful?" he asked.

"No," his wife Gu Qiaoying quickly replies. "Almost everything he bring home is useless."

"I am not even mentioning those fake things that he buys," she said, referring to his penchant for collecting coins, among other things.

Gu recalled that several years ago Xu bought a bronze wash bowl. "He said it was a real one this time. But it turned out that he was cheated again. We found this kind of wash bowl was everywhere in Chenghuang Temple, cheaper and prettier too," she added.

"My wife always complains about my collections. 'Piles of rubbish' and 'a waste of money,' she often grumbles," Xu said with a shrug of his shoulders. "Few people can understand me. In today's fast-paced world, the traditional way of life and those folk things, ignored by modern people, are disappearing gradually. It's terrible that we can leave nothing for our children to remind them of the past lives in their hometown."

After his graduation from Fudan University, Xu became a high school history teacher while many of his classmates became famous professors and scholars in academic circles.

When speaking of his folk collection, Xu can talk for hours, much like a happy child.

"This was made of ivory and was used to weigh gold in the old days. You can see how advanced the technology was in ancient China," he said, pointing at an exquisite scale. "And this large scale, it can take weights as heavy as 150 kilograms. Amazing."

In all, he has amassed 36 old scales in different shapes and materials. He also has a closet of china sugar pots, porcelain candlesticks and a room full of silk embroidery. Other treasures include Chairman Mao portraits as well as furniture that was used in old village life.

"Yes, these things are obsolete and out of fashion, but they are the carriers of our history. They reflect the already-gone farming customs," Xu said.

In order to "preserve the past," he has even paid to publish books. Last year, Xu paid 8,000 yuan to put out "Rambling Talk on Chinese Tea Culture."

"I'm history-aware, always paying great attention to those old things. Publishing books with my money is one way to record history and let more people remember the past. I enjoy it though some people think I'm foolish."

Fortunately, his daughter, now living in Japan, supports him. "See that wooden folding screen? It was designed by my daughter. It cost 10,000 yuan and is expensive, but I think it's still worth the money."

Xu said that his collection is not trash at all because a folklore museum will open next year thanks to his generous donation. "I'm looking forward to that," he said with gleam in his eye.