Art of lacquer thread carving in Xiamen

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: Lacquer thread carving technique in Xiamen

Applicant: Xiamen City, Fujian Province

Project No.: 405

Project No.: VIII - 55

Time of publication: 2006 (the first batch)

Category: traditional art

Region: Fujian Province

Type: new item

Applicant: Xiamen City, Fujian Province

Protection unit: Xiamen Weiyi lacquer wire carving art Co., Ltd

A brief introduction to the art of lacquer thread carving in Xiamen

Applicant: Xiamen City, Fujian Province

Lacquer thread carving has been popular in Xiamen for more than 300 years and has passed through 13 generations of Cai family. This craft is the heritage of ancient Buddha sculpture art, and is inspired by the line carving craft of song and Yuan Dynasties, especially the line carving of lefen and clay. It was formed in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasty, and gradually matured in the late Qing Dynasty. Its development in Xiamen is closely related to the prosperity of folk religion and the prosperity of Buddha sculpture industry.

The traditional lacquer carving includes 4 aspects: sculpture, foundation, lacquer line decoration, makeup gold filling. In terms of the creation and design of works, sculpture is the most important. But as far as the special aesthetic feeling of art is concerned, the skill of lacquer wire decoration is the key. Lacquer thread carving is made of old brick powder mixed with lacquer, tung oil and other raw materials. After repeated pounding, it becomes a soft and tough clay mass, commonly known as "lacquer thread soil". Then it is hand rubbed into "lacquer thread", and then it is rolled, knotted, wound and piled on the green body coated with primer to create a convex figure.

Lacquer line carving technology pays attention to the aesthetic characteristics of lines, with rich and varied forms. In the creation, it can reach a high level at will. The beauty of lines in Chinese arts and crafts is sublimated here. Lacquer line carving is a combination of lines, and it is displayed in the form of relief. The details are very precise. It can be said that handcraft is the soul of lacquer carving.

More than 300 years ago, lacquer line carving was made in Maxiang Town, Tongan county. The original name of CAI's workshop in Ma Xiang was Xizhu Xuan. Now the artists surnamed Cai have their names, which can be traced back to the eighth generation of CAI Shanyang, which was around the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty. Cai Wenpei, the 11th generation's descendant, moved his workshop to Xiamen. For the first time, he used lacquer carving to represent historical figures. He also recruited many students and publicized his unique skills. Cai shuikuang, the son of CAI Wenpei, is a master of Arts and crafts, and his artistic vision is broader. His works "return to me" and "Monkey King subdues the demon in the wave moon cave" are collected by the China Arts and Crafts Museum as classics. In 1972, Cai shuikuang made the lacquer line carving pattern into an independent decorative art, which soon became the mainstream product of modern lacquer line carving and gained great benefits.

With the deepening of reform and opening up, the modern market economy has brought a huge impact on the traditional lacquer line carving process. Because the lacquer line carving process is relatively complex and difficult to master, it is difficult to find successors. Cai Caixian, the only 13 generations of Cai family who is still engaged in lacquer line carving, has the fear that there will be no successors. The relevant authorities should protect and rescue this ancient handicraft to prevent traditional Chinese painting The art is lost.

Chinese PinYin : Sha Men Qi Xian Diao Ji Yi