【Hainan Coconut Carving】
Preface
Carving and creating on raw materials such as coconut shells, olive pits, peach pits, gourds, etc., these either originated in the Tang Dynasty, or from the Song Dynasty, or from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, how many have you seen?
【Hainan Coconut Carving】
1. Hainan coconut carving - the art on the coconut shell
The history of coconut planting in Hainan is at least more than 2,000 years, in addition to coconut water and coconut meat can be eaten, the coconut carving made with coconut shell precision is a unique handicraft in Hainan.
Hainan coconut carving can be traced back to the first year of Tang Xuanzong Dazhong (that is, 847 AD), when there was a record in the "Notes on Eastern Guangdong" that Li Deyu (that is, Li Deyu in the "Niu Li Party Dispute") was relegated to Yazhou, according to local customs, the coconut shell saw was made into scoops, spoons, bowls, cups as eating and drinking utensils.
【Three-dimensional relief works in Hainan coconut carving】
In the Tang Dynasty, Liu Sui's "Difference in the Records of the Mountains" also recorded: coconut trees are also similar to sea ...... There is a round like an egg, that is, cut off a head, sand and stone grinding, to its wrinkled skin, its colorful brocade text, with platinum to fill it, thought that the water jar, rare and lovely.
As for being used as a wine glass, the Tang Dynasty poet Tortoise Meng wrote a poem "The wine is full of coconut cups to disinfect the mist, and the wind follows the banana leaves to the boat" to corroborate.
【Children's version of Hainan coconut carving】
In the Ming and Qing dynasties, specially made coconut carvings have been paid tribute to the imperial court as treasures, winning the reputation of "Tiannan tribute".
Hainan coconut carving generally goes through the design, material selection, cutting, carving, tire making (mainly copper or tin), inlay, decoration, polishing, lacquering, gilding, decoration and other processes.
However, the purpose of Hainan coconut carving has changed: it is no longer just a treasure that a few people can enjoy. By carving coconut shells, coconut wood and coconut palms, it is not only inexpensive, but also can turn waste into treasure, reflecting the principle of making the best use of things.
【Ancient version of Hainan coconut carving】
In addition, the continuous popularization of coconut carving skills in Hainan is very suitable for family manual labor in various parts of Hainan, which can not only increase the economic income of local people, but also solve the problem of social employment.
In July 2007, Hainan coconut carving was selected into the second batch of Hainan provincial intangible cultural heritage list. In June 2008, Hainan coconut carving was included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage.
【Ancient version of Hainan coconut carving】
Second, Guangzhou olive carving - there is heaven and earth on the core of the black olive
Guangzhou olive carving, is to black olive core as the basic material, on the delicate and subtle carving, the form is small and exquisite, the shape is beautiful and elegant, the lines are smooth and vivid.
Speaking of the place of origin and time, Guangzhou olive carving should be accurate should be Guangzhou Zengcheng olive carving, originated in Xintang Town, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou City, as early as the Ming Dynasty.
【Guangzhou Olive Carving】
To the Qing Dynasty Xianfeng four years (that is, 1854 AD), there is also a treasure - Guangzhou Zengcheng Xintang Town old artist Zhan Gusheng (also known as Jusheng), he created the olive core version of "Su Dongpo Night Tour Chibi Fang", the work craftsmanship is exquisite, the carved characters are different, lifelike, become the carrier of modern people to understand the ancient olive carving process.
To add: The peach pit version of "Dongpo Night Tour of Red Cliffs" was also created by Guangzhou, the author's name is Chen Zuzhang, and it was created during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty.
The olive core version of "Su Dongpo's Night Tour of Chibi Fang"
On the whole, the form of Guangzhou olive carving is roughly divided into several categories, such as seat pieces, pendants, bead strings, nuclear boats, etc., pay attention to maintaining the original tone and luster of the olive core, and like to work full - that is, the entire olive core is carved to the full.
As for the carving technique, it mainly draws on the thin relief carving in Cantonese wood carving and the hollow carving of ivory carving, and the technique is fine, so it can only be done slowly.
【Guangzhou Olive Carving】
The characteristics of the works of Guangzhou olive carving, pay special attention to the integration of humanistic thoughts, and integrate Buddhist and Taoist figures, historical stories, folk production and other scenes into the creation - there are also olive carvings in the north, and the biggest difference between the south and the north is whether the style of the characters is highlighted.
In June 2008, Guangzhou Zengcheng olive carving was included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage.
【Guangzhou Olive Carving】
3. Weifang nuclear carving - tell a story on the peach pit
Weifang nuclear carving, is to peach pit as the main material - this is different from the previous two carving materials, is popular in Weifang, Shandong Province Weifang area of a traditional carving art, originated in the late Qing Dynasty: Shandong Weifang Zhucheng County nuclear carving artist Zhang Dayan, perennial in the palace responsible for carving pearls, twisted beads, bracelets, Buddha beads, etc., later the Qing court declined, the palace including nuclear carving artists including all kinds of skilled craftsmen, most of them were neglected and scattered all over the place.
【Weifang nuclear carving】
Around 1880, Zhang Dayan wandered back to Zhucheng in Shandong Province from Beijing, where he still carved and carved for a living, and also taught nuclear carving skills extensively, which was slowly popularized since then.
The works of Weifang nuclear carving are mostly seven varieties such as pendants, fan pendants, prayer beads, earrings, bracelets, buttons, seals, etc., the layout is rigorous, the knife technique is delicate, and the image is realistic, showing a kind of broad atmosphere between all things in the world.
【Weifang nuclear carving】
The main themes are:
- Myths and legends, such as "Eight Immortals Wishing Birthday", "Heavenly Maiden Scattered Flowers", "Nine Beauties and Dragon Boats" and so on.
- opera stories, such as "The Legend of the White Snake", "The Legend of the West Chamber", "Journey to the West" and so on.
- Interesting anecdotes and allusions, such as "Night Tour of Red Cliffs", "Diao Chan Makes the Moon", "Xi's Love Goose", "Confucius Lectures" and so on.
- Homophonic metaphors, such as "Pine Crane Extends the Year", "Deer and Crane Spring Together", "Blessing on Blessing" and so on.
In June 2008, Weifang nuclear carving was included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage.
【Weifang nuclear carving】
Fourth, Dongchang gourd carving - there is a good fortune on the gourd
The full name of Dongchang gourd carving should be Dongchang gourd carving in Liaocheng City, Shandong Province - this is another raw material for carving.
Dongchangfu District has been cultivating gourds since the Han Dynasty and is famous for producing high-quality gourds, and Dongchang gourd carving has a history of more than 500 years as a folk skill.
【Dongchang gourd carving】
But there is another theory: it originated in the Song Dynasty and was created by Wang Heshang in the Song Dynasty. Wang Heshang was a court artist who was good at painting and carving, and when he returned to his hometown in Dongchang Mansion in his old age, Wang Heshang carved exquisite patterns on the gourd of his hometown to store his favorite grasshoppers. Later, the people of Dongchang followed suit, and the gourd carving of Dongchang spread.
【Dongchang gourd carving】
Dongchang gourd carving materials are exquisite, the carving is skillful, the pattern is rich, showing distinct regional characteristics, according to the record in the "Chinese gourd ware and songworms", Dongchang gourd carving flourished in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and was once an important commodity for Dongchang farmers to produce and subsidize households.
In the 30s and 40s of the 20th century, Dongchang gourd carving works were also exported to all parts of the country and even overseas.
【Dongchang gourd carving】
About the selection of materials - is to choose the gourd, mostly "big gourd", "sub-waist gourd", "oblate round gourd", roughly divided into three kinds:
- The first is the "high-grade gourd", which is well-selected and finely carved, and the patterns are mainly figures and landscapes.
- The second is the "medium gourd", the material is slightly inferior, and more flowers and birds, fish and insects, and animals are carved.
- The third is the "flower gourd", which is to dye the gourd red and carve various patterns with a rough and strong knife technique.
【Dongchang gourd carving】
The subject matter of Dongchang gourd carving is relatively rich, but most of them are flowers and birds, insects and fish, animals, figures, and landscapes. Among them, the particularly famous works, such as the Taoyuan Three Knots in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", the Twelve Hairpins of Jinling in "Dream of Red Mansions", the Three Dozen White Bone Spirits in "Journey to the West", Wu Song Fighting the Tiger in "Water Margin" and so on.
In June 2008, Dongchang gourd carving was included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage.
【Dongchang gourd carving】
epilogue
Fine carving and artistic creation on coconut shells, olive pits, peach pits, gourds, etc., can achieve rigorous layout, delicate knife skills, vivid and realistic; can be between square inches, but can present a broad atmosphere that encompasses all things in the world and between square inches; all have distinctive style characteristics and become our precious cultural heritage.