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Focus on Zhejiang’s intangible heritage
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ZHEJIANG Province is sometimes referred to as “home to thousands of crafts” as it has been a center of a large number of arts and crafts for centuries.
Now, an exhibition in Wulin Pavilion of Zhejiang Museum displays some particularly noteworthy crafts that are part of Zhejiang’s intangible heritage.
The first highlight are Dongyang woodcarvings. It’s one of the four Chinese woodcarving styles.
Dongyang woodcarvings are layers of sophisticated patterns that were broadly applied in architecture, interior decoration and on Buddhist figurines. In ancient times, they were popular among the wealthy and powerful.
The tools used to make the carvings are on display as well as great examples of it, such as a camphorwood cabinet.
Besides flowers, birds and clouds, mythical figures are also common in Dongyang woodcarvings.
One piece on exhibit shows the story of a monk who travelled to India with his companions.
The second highlight of the exhibition is a boxwood sculpture, which is another famous wood sculpting school of Zhejiang Province.
Though boxwood is common in Zhejiang Province, only trees older than 50 years are suitable for making sculptures. Generally, a 50-year-old boxwood is only 15 centimeters in diameter, which makes boxwood carvings precious.
Boxwood sculptures from Yueqing County feature vivid figures and a glossy finish.
The first man said to have used boxwood was a former cowherd turned clay sculptor, who was asked by a Taoist to make a pin out of a little boxwood branch. The sculptor, surnamed Ye, continued to use the material and handed the skill down to his sons.
Fro several generations, the Ye family has used boxwood. Carvings by popular artisans featuring Buddhist characters and celestial creatures are on display at the exhibition.
The third highlight is paper cutting from Pujiang and Yueqing counties.
Pujiang style was integrated with the rough, vigorous northern Chinese features, which helped it distinguish from other sophisticated paper cutting in south region of the lower reaches of Yangtze River.
Paper cuts can be used to decorate the house and are particularly common around the Lunar New Year period when they are used to spread a festive feeling. This explains why Chinese paper cuts are overwhelmingly fashioned in auspicious red.
However, Pujiang paper cutting is also used for wedding and worshipping ceremonies, sometimes in black and yellow colors.
Yueqing paper cuts are known for being very elaborate and feature people’s hair and animal fur.
Date: Tuesday-Sunday
Address: West Lake Cultural Square, 581 Zhongshan Rd N.
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