Filigree inlay craftsmanship, also known as fine gold craftsmanship, is a long-standing traditional Chinese handicraft and one of the "Eight Gems of Yanjing". The traditional filigree inlay process uses gold, silver, etc. as raw materials, using pinching, filling, saving, welding, stacking, base, weaving, weaving and other techniques, the wire is made into a variety of shapes, and the use of file, hammer, skeleton, stuffy, chopping, collapse, squeezing, stone, whip, inlay and other techniques, the metal sheet into bowls or claw grooves, inlaid with different types of gemstones. Filigree inlay making technology is a representative of Chinese court craftsmanship, and was included in the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2008.
"Post-90s" young man Gu Guoqiang has a strong interest in the traditional culture of the mainland since he was a child, he studied porcelain during his college years, and went to the Forbidden City for half a year to study the restoration of porcelain cultural relics. In the process, Gu Guoqiang had the privilege of coming into contact with and learning about the art of filigree inlay.
After graduating from university, Gu Guoqiang returned to Chongqing and began to learn filigree inlay techniques. "When I first started learning, I sometimes felt bored because I was repeating the same action a lot of times." Gu Guoqiang said, "Filigree inlay requirements are very fine, especially testing people's patience, and they must be calm. ”
With the deepening of learning and production, Gu Guoqiang felt the charm of filigree inlay more and more. "The beauty of filigree inlay is rich in connotation and temperature, which makes me feel incredibly shocked."
In 2017, Gu Guoqiang set up a studio and began to explore the use of traditional filigree inlay techniques to make jewelry suitable for modern people to wear, so that traditional crafts can be revitalized. From the initial development of only one person to the current scale of 15 employees, Gu Guoqiang's studio has continued to grow. Nowadays, the studio has begun to recruit some students interested in filigree inlaying for free teaching.
Gu Guoqiang also used the short video platform to introduce the history and culture of filigree inlay, the production process and its charm to the audience. "In this way, I want more people to understand the traditional skill of filigree inlaying, and make efforts to better preserve and pass on the skills." Gu Guoqiang said.
Gu Guoqiang sorts out filigree inlay materials (photo taken on January 25). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Quanchao
Gu Guoqiang works on filigree inlays (photo taken on January 25). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Quanchao
This is a filigree mosaic created by Gu Guoqiang (taken on January 25). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Quanchao
Gu Guoqiang displays filigree inlays in his studio (photo taken on January 25). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Quanchao
Gu Guoqiang displays filigree inlays (photo taken on January 25). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Quanchao
Gu Guoqiang creates filigree inlays (photo taken on January 25). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Quanchao
Gu Guoqiang introduced filigree inlay works to the audience through the live broadcast platform (photographed on January 25). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Quanchao
Gu Guoqiang exchanges filigree inlay techniques with studio staff (photo taken on January 25). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Quanchao