Diameter: 0.7 m  Height: 1.999 m 

The gift, presented by the People’s Government of Gansu Province to celebrate Macao’s return to the People’s Republic of China, was made by lost-wax and gilding techniques. In lost-wax technique, the artist first makes a clay mould slightly smaller than the finished product. Next, he applies wax to the surface of the mould and then carves on the wax. The artist then adds clay on the carved wax layer before heating it. When the wax melts in the heat, a gap is left, and liquid bronze is poured into the mould. Once the bronze is set, the statue/sculpture is completed. Gilding is the technique of mixing gold with mercury and then smearing the mixture on the surface of the chosen artwork. When the mercury is heated, it evaporates so that only the gold is left on the surface. 

This four-tier work is mainly composed of 20 small bronze statues, the trunk, the throne and the base. A dancing drummer stands at the very top and three fairies holding pearls flying on the second tier. The third tier shows four graceful dancers and on the fourth there are eight musicians playing joyful tunes. The 56 petals of the lotus-like throne indicate the unity of the 56 Chinese ethnic groups in celebrating Macao’s return to China. The statue is 1.999 metres high, indicating the year of Macao’s return. The delicate casting technique and elegant appearance make this a valuable piece of artwork.