Carved objects using agalmatolite stones mined in Shoushan village, East China's Fujian province, is traced back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

The craft, known as Shoushan stone carving, has been since then passed down to generations of artisans in Fujian.

The National Museum of China is holding an exhibition in Beijing of fine Shoushan stones that show the sculpting skills of Chen Lizhong, a State inheritor of the carving technique based in Fuzhou.

Chen is also exhibiting works using other kinds of stones because of a decline in the availability of quality Shoushan stones in recent years.Also on show are stone sculptures by Chen's students. It runs through Jan 7.