[1][2][3] Wang was born into a wealthy Beijing family with ancestral roots in Fuzhou, who were at the Qing dynasty court for three generations.

The rich family background contributed to Wang's talent and sensitivity towards classic Chinese culture.

During this time, he worked at the Palace Museum in the Forbidden City in Beijing and later became a member of the prestigious Central Research Institute of Culture & History.

[3][5] Wang was internationally known for his extensive study of a wide range of cultural relics, artifacts, and manifestations, including: furniture, Chinese lacquer art, bamboo carvings, pigeon whistles, a large number of traditional crafts and music.

His knowledge ranged from trivial matters to esoteric, from Chinese manuscripts and objects to intangible cultural affairs.

[4] It is dedicated to the paleographer Chen Mengjia, who was his good friend, and a fellow collector of Chinese classical furniture.