The Wonder of Chinese Decorative Arts
In this article I will describe the materials used by the Chinese in their highly respected and admired decorative arts.
Ivory and bone have been used in the Zhejiang Provence since 5000 BC. Elephants are indigenous to China, but tusks were also obtained from India and SE Asia.
During the Zhou dynasty (1046 BC- 256 BC) and the Shang dynasty (1600-1046 BCE), ornamental handles and vessels were made of ivory.
Lacquer is from the sap of the lacquer tree and is native to central and southern China. It is a suitable material for serving utensils as it is water resistant and tolerant to heat.
From the 6th century, lacquer was mixed with red and black and painted on wood or fabric. By applying multiple coats, it could also be carved.
As it is a toxic substance, lacquerware was a luxury item and found only in the homes of nobility or the wealthy.
From the 3rd century in China, amber was used in decorative arts. It is believed to possess magical properties. During the Tang dynasty (618-707 AD) amber was used in jewelry, inlay, and decorative work. It was brought from Iran by way of the Silk Road and imported along with jadeite from Burma (Myanmar) during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.
During the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD) musical instruments were constructed of this dense bone tissue (in technical terms). Bronze, jade, and lacquer were used, as well as silver and gold, used mostly for inlay.
Bamboo and wood are the materials most used in Chinese decorative arts. Bamboo is the most popular plant, and it has the distinction of being both yin and yang. Both are used in carving, weaving, and furniture.
Cloisonne (French for 'partitions') is designs on metal vessels with colored glass paste (enamel), with enclosures of copper or bronze wires.
Chinese author Cao Zhao's "Guide to Study of Antiquities" (1388) declared cloisonne was only acceptable for a woman's toiletry. Under Emperor Xuande's reign, less than fifty (50) years later, cloisonne was used by the imperial court.
Ink cake is made from animal glue and carbon (the byproduct of burning wood) or lampblack (burning vegetable oil). A fragrance such as musk may be added to cover the glue smell.
The ingredients are pounded into cakes or sticks and left to dry slowly. In the 16th and 17th centuries, ink cakes were molded into themes also used in woodblock printing.
The "Ink Manual of Fang Family" (1588) is a catalog of ink cakes with 380 illustrations.
Rhinoceros horn is a fine arts carving material that was used during the Ming period (16th-17th centuries) to make cups that were presented to the winners in competitive archery.
During the 18th century, silver objects in the Qing period (1644-1912) were exported to Europe and America. The Chinese motifs were 'copies' of Western silver.
Jade ('yu' in Chinese) is a semiprecious hardstone and is ideal for carving. True jade is either nephrite or jadeite. The former is from Central Asia and comes in shades of green, yellow, and white. Jadeite is native to Burma and is bright green.
Ivory and bone have been used in the Zhejiang Provence since 5000 BC. Elephants are indigenous to China, but tusks were also obtained from India and SE Asia.
During the Zhou dynasty (1046 BC- 256 BC) and the Shang dynasty (1600-1046 BCE), ornamental handles and vessels were made of ivory.
Lacquer is from the sap of the lacquer tree and is native to central and southern China. It is a suitable material for serving utensils as it is water resistant and tolerant to heat.
From the 6th century, lacquer was mixed with red and black and painted on wood or fabric. By applying multiple coats, it could also be carved.
As it is a toxic substance, lacquerware was a luxury item and found only in the homes of nobility or the wealthy.
From the 3rd century in China, amber was used in decorative arts. It is believed to possess magical properties. During the Tang dynasty (618-707 AD) amber was used in jewelry, inlay, and decorative work. It was brought from Iran by way of the Silk Road and imported along with jadeite from Burma (Myanmar) during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.
During the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD) musical instruments were constructed of this dense bone tissue (in technical terms). Bronze, jade, and lacquer were used, as well as silver and gold, used mostly for inlay.
Bamboo and wood are the materials most used in Chinese decorative arts. Bamboo is the most popular plant, and it has the distinction of being both yin and yang. Both are used in carving, weaving, and furniture.
Cloisonne (French for 'partitions') is designs on metal vessels with colored glass paste (enamel), with enclosures of copper or bronze wires.
Chinese author Cao Zhao's "Guide to Study of Antiquities" (1388) declared cloisonne was only acceptable for a woman's toiletry. Under Emperor Xuande's reign, less than fifty (50) years later, cloisonne was used by the imperial court.
Ink cake is made from animal glue and carbon (the byproduct of burning wood) or lampblack (burning vegetable oil). A fragrance such as musk may be added to cover the glue smell.
The ingredients are pounded into cakes or sticks and left to dry slowly. In the 16th and 17th centuries, ink cakes were molded into themes also used in woodblock printing.
The "Ink Manual of Fang Family" (1588) is a catalog of ink cakes with 380 illustrations.
Rhinoceros horn is a fine arts carving material that was used during the Ming period (16th-17th centuries) to make cups that were presented to the winners in competitive archery.
During the 18th century, silver objects in the Qing period (1644-1912) were exported to Europe and America. The Chinese motifs were 'copies' of Western silver.
Jade ('yu' in Chinese) is a semiprecious hardstone and is ideal for carving. True jade is either nephrite or jadeite. The former is from Central Asia and comes in shades of green, yellow, and white. Jadeite is native to Burma and is bright green.
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