A selection of puppets made by Xu Zhuchu, a sixth-generation craftsmen of the Xu family, and his son Xu Qiang are on display at their joint exhibition at the National Museum of China. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

Puppets were once an important tool for witchcraft. But later, the making of puppets evolved into a handicraft tradition.

The family of Xu in Zhangzhou, Fujian province, has over the past two centuries been dedicated to crafting puppets. And craftsmen from the family carve puppet heads and hands from wood, and dress the puppets in embroidered costumes.

Their works are now used in puppet plays and to decorate temples, and have also become artworks for museums.

A selection of puppets made by Xu Zhuchu, a sixth-generation craftsmen of the Xu family, and his son Xu Qiang are on display at their joint exhibition at the National Museum of China.

The exhibition titled Craftsmanship through April 6 pays tribute to a family's commitment to the art.