There are countless varieties of traditional handicrafts in our long history and culture. They are not just practical goods, but also a symbol of culture and an artistic expression. Two of them are particularly noteworthy cloisonné and lacquerware crafts.
First of all, let's introduce cloisonné, which is also known as the "Chinese blue gemstone". Its history dates back to the Yuan Dynasty and reached its peak during the Ming Dynasty. The process of making cloisonné is complex and requires delicate manual skills. The first step is to design a pattern, then make a model out of lead as a carcass, and then depict delicate patterns and ornaments on it. Then comes the most important step – coloring. This step requires artists to precisely control the proportions and positions of the colors in order to achieve the best artistic effect. Finally, after high-temperature firing, a fine cloisonné is completed.
Lacquerware handicrafts are another shining pearl of traditional Chinese handicrafts. Chinese lacquer art has a history of thousands of years, and there are examples of lacquer decoration in bronzes as early as the Shang and Zhou dynasties. In the Tang and Song dynasties, lacquerware developed into an independent art category. Compared to cloisonné, lacquerware is more cumbersome to make. First, choose high-quality wood or porcelain as the carcass, and then apply several layers of paint, each layer needs to be dried before applying the next layer. This process also requires repeated polishing to make the paint surface smooth as a mirror. There are many different colors of lacquerware, including red, black, yellow, green, and so on, and a variety of shapes and styles can be customized according to different needs.
Whether it is cloisonné or lacquerware, it is an important part of the traditional culture of the mainland. They not only have high ornamental value, but also carry profound cultural connotations. Each traditional handicraft product embodies the wisdom and hard work of craftsmen, and is a manifestation of our national spirit.